A TOWN centre café is closing its doors after feeling the pinch of the current economic climate.

The Courtyard Coffee House, off Belle Vue Terrace, Malvern, will close its doors for the last time on Saturday, March 15.

Owner Sheila Swarbrick says it was a hard decision to make due to the uncertainty it creates for three members of staff but a combination of a tough financial situation and health reasons forced her hand.

She said: "It is mainly because of the end of the year's lease was coming up and it was making a loss, basically it wasn't covering the costs due to the current economic climate."

However, she will be joining her husband Antony at the nearby Rebecca’s Range in Edith Walk.

"It's sad that I am going but I hope my customers will come and see me across the road," she added.

The café has been used by the Malvern Gazette's reporting team for weekly drop-in sessions to hear news and views from members of the public since July last year.

In June 2013 Mrs Swarbrick launched a petition to oppose the presence of Costa ahead of its proposed arrival in Church Street, gathering hundreds of signatures in the process.

The major chain opened its doors in December.