Despite Christmas being the time of cheer, one business owner has been faced with the tough decision to alter the way her vintage tearoom operates or close down for good.

After opening Queenie’s Vintage Tearoom on platform 2 at Emsworth railway in 2022, Queenie Butler-Hoskins has faced problem after problem over the years with vandalism, a break in and crippling costs.

And now, the 41-year-old has made the difficult decision to remove toasties and sandwiches from the menu in a desperate attempt to stay open.

 

Queenie's Vintage Tea Room on Platform 2 at Emsworth Train Station. Pictured is: Queenie Butler-Hoskins, owner. Picture: Sarah Standing (160124-4889) | Sarah Standing

Queenie wrote on Facebook, saying: “It's no secret that the Emsworth Station tearoom has never made profit, it's always made a loss.

“No matter what I try, we just don't have consistent footfall to make this business model work. Add staff costs, VAT, taxes, rent, and the fact the railway has just lumped us with an electricity bill of over 5k, and I'm left with very few options.

“Having looked at the figures this month, I have two options:

1. Throw in the towel all together

2. Take sandwiches, toasties and some bar snacks off the menu and keep trying with a streamlined offering (meaning we won't need as many staff on shift !)”

The tearoom, which also doubles as a speakeasy, previously told The News that she sold her home to keep her dream going - but every month is a ‘constant battle’.

The menu will continue to offer sausage rolls, cheese scones, teacakes, scones, croissants, chicken goujons, doughnuts, blondies, brownies, brookie pies, roulade, millionaires shortbread and gluten free lemon drizzle cake.

The post added: “If we don't get the support , we will have to simply say goodbye.”

For more information about Queenie’s Vintage Tearoom, click here. 

The News 29th December