End Of Era As Ryde's Coffee Pot Shuts Up Shop

Thursday, 10 February 2022 15:30

By Oliver Dyer @olidyer

The owner of Ryde's iconic Coffee Pot is bidding an emotional farewell after more than three decades at the helm.

For 32 years Carole Osgood has served generations of Islanders at the popular Union Street café.

She is now selling up to spend time with her family. It will see the Coffee Pot, which has been a staple of Ryde for more than half a century, close its doors permanently.

Although admitting she will miss it "desperately", Carole feels now is the right time to hang up her apron.

"I'm retiring and I'm going to enjoy my life with my granddaughter and my daughter and her family. I just don't want the responsibility of it anymore", she told Isle of Wight Radio.

"I love everybody and I love the work but it's just too much now. Can you imagine being in a job for 32 years? I just can't believe I've done 32 years.

"I've got lots of people that came in as children, who are now men, who have got their own children coming in. Where can I get hugs with men and their children? I love it all but I just can't keep it up anymore."

The Coffee Pot was first opened in the 1960s when it was run by John Williams, who was married to Carole's aunt. They had it for around 20 years, before Carole took over.

Some of her highlights as owner include welcoming the many scooterists who visited for Scooter Weekend. There were also some dark times too - most notably in 1994 when the former Sports and Models Shop next door was targeted by a firebomb. It caused damage to the flat above and forced the café to close for a year.

"That was a big thing that went on in our life for quite a while and the upset of it all", she said.

"That was tough. Lots of it has been tough. But there's been lots of lovely things as well."

Carole told Isle of Wight Radio she now expects the café to be turned into an Indian restaurant. She says it's a shame it won't stay as the Coffee Pot.

"It saddens me a lot and I try not to think about it too much. I probably won't come down Union Street for a while."

She said she wanted to thank her staff, both past and present, as well as her many supporters over the years.

"Thank you very much for all your custom and being here for me. It made it so I can be here all this time.

"32 years, I've loved my locals. If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be here because I could not have survived on just visitors.

"I hope to see them about. I might see them about in Tesco!"

The Coffee Pot will close its doors for the final time on Saturday, February 19.

End Of Era As Ryde's Coffee Pot Shuts Up Shop

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