Cavendish Square - Ring Cafe Closes 

End of an era for the Square
Much-loved cafe-owner brews up for the last time

After serving over a million cups of tea and tens of thousands of breakfasts, Gerry Williams, owner of the Ring Cafe in Cavendish Sq, will sadly be calling it a day on Monday.

Going with the Flo: Gerry Williams, alongside daughter-in-law, Flo, who also works at the Ring

The 79-year-old, who has become one of Walcot's best-known characters since opening the cafe in 1964, will close the doors for the last time, bringing down the shutters on a career spanning over four decades.

His cafe a casualty of the much overdue re-development of Cavendish Square, which is now well underway (see story below).
Having seen the very best and worst of the area, an emotional Gerry told us: "It will be a very sad day indeed I can tell you."

"This place and the people I see everyday has been my life for 43 years. And I'll miss it."

Gerry, who runs the cafe alongside his daughter-in-law, Flo, has become the heart-and-soul of the community according to his customers, many of who can't believe the cafe is closing.

"It's terrible," said one regular, "I've been coming here for over twenty years and Gerry is a smashing bloke. He's done so much for Cavendish Square, and it won't be the same without him."

 

Serving up since 1964: the Ring café

In over 40 years at the 'Ring', as it's known, Gerry and his staff have served the community in every way possible, ranging from a simple cup of tea and a chat to raising thousands of pounds for local and national charities.

But after brewing his last cuppa next week, Gerry will look forward to swapping one tea for another - by enjoying more time on the golf course.

"It'll keep me busy and active, but it won't be the same as the cafe," Gerry added.

"It's the people I'll miss the most. After all these years they're more than just customers to me. They've become my friends."