St Catherine’s Hospice has today announced a new working relationship with local business JO.CO to secure the future of the Woodgate Café and generate vital income for patient care.
The Woodgate Café, located in Woodgate and run by St Catherine’s since it opened in June 2023, was never just about coffee. It was about creating a hub for the local community, helping the hospice become more integrated into the neighbourhood of Pease Pottage and Woodgate, and raising vital funds for palliative and end of life care services.
However, like many hospices, St Catherine’s is facing increasing financial pressures and it’s not in the best financial interest of the hospice charity to continue operating the café directly. Running costs and inflation make it clear that the café needs a dedicated specialist to ensure its future success, while the hospice needs to guarantee an income from this valued community asset.
Giles Tomsett, Chief Executive of St Catherine’s Hospice, says:
“We know how much the Woodgate Café means to our community. Our vision, alongside Thakeham – the developer of the Woodgate estate – was to create a welcoming space for local residents, families, patients and their loved ones. We are proud of the role the café plays in bringing people in our community together. My sincere thanks go to the staff and volunteers who have dedicated their time and energy to achieving this.
“After more than two years operating the café through rising inflation, we’ve concluded that it’s future is best secured with an expert partner who can bring economies of scale, provide St Catherine’s with a guaranteed rental income, and allow us to focus on providing exceptional end of life care for those who need us.
“We’re delighted that JO.CO, a locally based business run by a Woodgate resident who already operates successful cafés in Handcross and Balcombe will be taking this forward. By working with an experienced operator, we can ensure the café continues to thrive for years to come.”
In January 2026, JO.CO, a Portuguese style coffee shop will take over the running of the café and offer delicious food, coffee and pastries.
The Woodgate Café is located next to the Woodgate Community Shop which will continue to be run by the Woodgate Community Residents Group. St Catherine’s will continue to run the Woodgate Hub, which provides community rooms that can be booked for events including parties, parent and baby groups, fitness classes and business meetings.
To check availability and book a space in the Woodgate Hub please visit www.woodgatehub.org, email woodgatehub@stch.org.uk or call 01293 583082.
