Four cafés have closed permanently after their operator announced plans for voluntary liquidation.
The Mix’s social enterprise, 127 Trading Ltd, has confirmed it is seeking voluntary liquidation.
It means The Mix's site on Ipswich's Waterfront- which took over from Paddy and Scott's café site last year - has closed.
The move has also permanently closed cafés in Stowmarket, Needham Lake and Hadleigh, including those trading as Duck & Teapot.
The organisation blamed rising costs and falling sales for what it called “an incredibly difficult decision”.
A spokesperson said: "Over recent years, rising costs for products, staffing and day-to-day operations have continued to increase, while café sales have not been sufficient to sustain the business for the longer term.
The Mix in Ipswich (Image: Tom Cann)
"As a charity, we have had to make this responsible decision to prevent losses for the creditors or the charity and our support of young people."
Staff at all four cafés will also lose their jobs or face disruption.
"This is a difficult moment for our café teams," the spokesperson added.
"Some staff have dedicated many years to serving their local communities with warmth, kindness and commitment. We thank them for all that they have given and recognise the impact this closure will have on them."
The cafés served as community hubs and offered training and jobs to young people supported by The Mix.
Paddy & Scotts chief executive Jonathan Reed said the company was saddened by the closures.
He said: "We are disappointed to learn of the closure of the cafés operated by 127 Trading Ltd, trading as The Mix Coffee Shops (including Duck & Teapot).
"The Ipswich and Hadleigh cafés were handed over to The Mix approximately 12 months ago so the locations could provide meaningful support to young people in line with the charity's stated mission.
"Our first thoughts are with their employees whose livelihoods have been adversely affected by this news."
Mr Reed said Paddy & Scotts had not run the cafés but would support staff and the community where possible.
"As a creditor of 127 Trading Ltd, we are liaising closely with its advisers," he added.
The Mix stressed that the liquidation affects only its trading company, not the charity itself.
"We wish to reassure our community that The Mix charity is continuing as normal," the spokesperson said.
The charity said its youth work, mentoring, education and wellbeing services remain fully operational, supporting more than 3,000 young people across Suffolk every year.
The Duck & Teapot opened in 2022 as a café and visitor centre at Needham Lake, with a community space available for local groups.
Share