Another Cardiff café is closing as owner slams 'shambles' and 'ever-increasing costs'

Another Cardiff café has announced it will be closing due to "ever-increasing costs". On Thursday, March 14, Wildflower Kitchen on Whitchurch Road in the city said that they would be closing their doors for good on Sunday, March 24.

In the Facebook post, the owner of the café said that it had not been a "decision [they've] made lightly", but described the hospitality industry as "on its knees". They added that support "from higher up" had been a "shambles". It comes as another devastating blow for the independent food scene in the capital, which has seen multiple restaurants, cafes and pubs closing for good over the past few months. You can read about our full report on the situation on Whitchurch Road, which sums up everything happening to pubs and restaurants right now, here.

Three days into the new year beloved gastropub The Conway announced that they would be closing due to "financial difficulties". A few days later, sustainable, wood-fired restaurant Kindle in Bute Park also announced they were closing due to a "number of factors".

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Soon after, the city sadly saw the closure of other popular restaurants such as The Brass Beetle and Society Standard also on Whitchurch Road, as well as The Smoke House in Pontcanna. Meanwhile, the group of bakeries, Alex Gooch, shut down two of its branches after facing "crippling" energy costs. For the latest Cardiff news, sign up to our newsletter here.

In February, the much-loved vegan restaurant Anna-Look in the Roath area also announced it would be closing, but confirmed that the business would continue selling food from their trailer. You can read more about their closure here.

Wildflower Kitchen, known for selling brunches, lunches "delicious" cakes and "great" coffee, was established in 2019. In the Facebook post announcing their closure, they said: "I write this with a mixture of sadness and relief; Wildflower Kitchen is closing on Sunday, March 24.

"Sadly, we're another business that are battling the ever-increasing costs, beyond our control. This is not a decision we've made lightly, but hospitality is on its knees. We're well into a busy four and a half years at Wildflower and it's been one hell of a ride!

"We had no idea what a crazy journey we were embarking on back in 2019! Lockdowns, Covid, cost of living crisis and now possibly the biggest independent business closures Cardiff and the UK has faced in years. It feels like every week I see more and more of us closing our doors. So sad."

They added: "It's been one crazy adventure and has taught me more than I could have ever believed. Lots of hard times but overall, it's been really wonderful. I've worked with and employed so many incredibly creative people, who've influenced my life more than they'll ever know, creating great friendships that will hopefully last a lifetime.

"I couldn't have made it this far without my team, past and present and they've been the absolute beating heart of my company. I know saying goodbye to our lovely customers in these last few days is going to be super tough, I've experienced support like I could never imagine. Your incredibly kind comments mean the world and it's what has kept us going for so long".

The statement concluded with the owner calling on customers to support their local independent businesses. It read: "Please look after your favourite indies, they need you right now! It's so incredibly tough and the support from higher up is a shambles.

"Our last day will be Sunday, March 24, which we may just run a brunch service, I'll keep you updated, but until then, business as usual. I cannot thank you enough and looking forward to celebrating our final days with you all."