This message to all valued customers and supporters of the Sliding Door Café, a social enterprise offering Hospitality training, supported work placement and employment pathways to the local Darebin community, through a café and catering service:

It is with great regret that I must inform you, on behalf of the Doors Café Association Board of Management, that the Board has decided to close the café and not reopen in 2012.

After more than 4 years trading in the Reservoir Civic Centre, during which time the café built a following of loyal customers, and the catering service was continuing to expand, we believe that the uncertainties facing the future of the café, regarding funding and the redevelopment of the Reservoir Civic Centre, would cause difficulties for both staff and students if we continued to trade into 2012.

The Board is intending to review its position in regard to continuing the social enterprise as a catering service only. If in the event that this happens we will let you know.

Hospitality training will continue with other arrangements being made for students to undertake their work placements in local businesses.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to you and your organization for you support for the enterprise over the past 4 years.

Please direct any inquiries to ursula@twnh.vic.edu.au or on 9480 0466.

Yours Sincerely,

Ursula Harrison

Chairperson The Doors Café Association.

Update - March, 2012:

The Board held a planning session  in February and regrettably decided that it would no longer continue to operate the catering service.  

We sincerely thank all those organizations who have supported our service and wish you well in the future.