Closure was a big blow to the community - but its revamp is a big boost
Val McDermid has officially reopened the revamped CafeLife community cafe in Edinburgh.
Dubbed the queen of crime, the author has sold over 17 million books to date across the globe and is translated into more than 40 languages.
She met with café customers and fans to sign copies of her books brought along on the day.
CafeLife is run by renowned local charity LifeCare Edinburgh and all proceeds from café sales go towards the organisation’s vital care services for older people living across Edinburgh.
The charity, which turned 80 last year, helps over 1,000 local older people a year. Essential services such as registered outreach care and day centres, help at home, meals on wheels and support for carers enable local older people to remain living full and independent lives.
Val said: "Every community should have a resource like CafeLife. We’re lucky to have it. The LifeCare centre, and all the vital services provided by the charity, help support serious issues such as isolation and loneliness. I'm proud to be supporting LifeCare in its important work.”
The pandemic forced the café to close its doors to their loyal sit-in customers in March 2020. The closure was a real loss to the area as CafeLife is the only full-accessible community café around, offering good value food and drink appealing to all generations and with lots of space for buggies and wheelchairs.
Opened nearly ten years ago, the team took the opportunity to upgrade the café through the Covid-closure. The charity secured emergency funding to revamp CafeLife’s interiors and the kitchen team have spent time creating a new and improved menu to appeal to all tastes and dietary needs.
LifeCare Edinburgh relies on the generosity of its funders. Funding from the Scottish Government’s Adapt and Thrive fund covered the cost of the café upgrades and an award from The National Lottery Community Fund supports the new Community Hub Coordinator position created to help safely bring people back to the space after the pandemic.
CaféLife will be running a series of promotions throughout coming months to celebrate the reopening and to welcome everyone back.
For more information about LifeCare visit here.
