Drake Street café to cease trading at the end of May

Councillor Richard Farnell, Shelly Buxton and Kirsty Buxton

A café on Drake Street will cease trading at the end of May, after more than 10 years of business.

Shelly Buxton first opened the doors of the eponymous Shelly B’s Café on 15 August 2007, but will close the doors for the final time at the end of the month.

Shelly said: “It was my dream to bring quality food at a reasonable price to Rochdale, however having overcome many obstacles over the years, including several recessions and the roadworks due to the tram, I find that the demise of Drake Street and the lack of council support for the traders therein has left me with no option but to re-locate.

“I have campaigned hard and long for the re-instatement of the bus stop near Drake Street News so that the street could maintain some kind of footfall, but my campaign was in vain, despite being informed by the then leader Richard Farnell that it would be re-instated.

“I have during my time on Drake Street met so many wonderful people and made some ‘forever friends’ who I cherish and will miss dearly. I hope that some of you will be able to come and visit me when I re-locate.”

Shelly will be relocating to 32 Market Square, Royton, in the precinct, and hopes to open in mid-June.

The premises of 36 Drake Street were purchased by Rochdale Council earlier this month.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/118502/council-purchases-drake-street-properties