The Friends of Droxford Church (FODC) wish to inform all that, following much thought and careful deliberation, we have given formal notice to terminate the Supplemental Licence Agreement under which Droxford Community Hub (DCH) has operated the café at St Mary & All Saints Church since 2020.
This emphatically, does not mean the café will close. We are determined to keep Wilfrid’s open for the benefit of the village, but the current management structure has to change for the reasons given below.
This decision has not been taken lightly. We fully acknowledge the enormous contribution that the café, known as Wilfrid’s, has made to our community over the last five years, and we thank all those—particularly volunteers—who have given their time and energy to its success.
However, it is important to explain the history, purpose, and governance structures behind Wilfrid’s to provide transparency as to why this decision has become necessary.
FODC was formed to save the church from closure. At the time, St Mary & All Saints was on the Church of England’s “At Risk” register, and without intervention, it faced an uncertain future. FODC raised £650,000 to restore and futureproof the building. A central part of this vision was the creation of a new extension that would house a café—Wilfrid’s—thereby creating a sustainable income stream that would:
Despite some opposition, the extension was successfully completed, and Wilfrid’s café opened in 2020. A 25-year legal agreement was signed by the Parochial Church Council (PCC), appointing FODC as the legal managers and administrators of the extended space.
In December 2019, Droxford Community Hub (DCH) signed a Licence Agreement with FODC to operate the café in the new extension. Instead of paying rent—something that would have been a serious burden during its early years and especially through the Covid-19 lockdown period—DCH agreed to report its annual surplus and, in collaboration with FODC, allocate the funds to church upkeep and community causes. This generous legal arrangement enabled the café to grow and succeed in a financially sustainable way.
You can view the Licence Agreement on the FODC website
https://www.friendsofdroxfordchurch.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Licence-FODC-to-DCH.pdf
Over five years, this arrangement worked well. It supported the café through its formative years and enabled DCH to flourish. Credit is due not only to DCH’s effective operational management but also to:
In recent times, however, DCH has indicated that it no longer wishes to operate under the licence from FODC. It has stated that it has “outgrown” FODC and is seeking greater independence. While DCH is entitled to evolve its aspirations, it is important to note that the Licence is not personal to any one DCH board, nor to the DCH company itself. It is a fixed, legal agreement.
Unfortunately, over the past year, DCH has repeatedly acted outside the collaborative processes established by the Licence to Occupy, signed by current DCH Directors, which set out an agreed annual calendar for financial reporting and grant allocations. Attempts to resolve these issues amicably have not been successful.
The tone and content of recent communications from DCH, including formal emails, have made it increasingly difficult to maintain a cooperative relationship. In its current form, the relationship has become untenable and is now causing division within the village, something we must all seek to avoid.
For these reasons, FODC has issued formal notice to terminate the Licence, with effect from 2nd September 2025. This allows for a graceful conclusion of the current year’s commitments, including the distribution of surplus funds, and provides time for a new operating model or team to be developed for the continued running of the café.
FODC recognises the tremendous contribution that DCH has made over the past five years. We believe that this chapter can now come to a respectful and honourable close, with DCH’s legacy of success firmly established and rightly acknowledged.
We remain committed to the original founding vision: to maintain the church building, support spiritual life, and provide space for community activity in a financially sustainable way. We welcome discussions with anyone interested in contributing to the café’s future under the stewardship of FODC and the PCC.
We thank the community for its understanding and support as we take this next step.
Friends of Droxford Church (FODC)
Written by Ivor Coleman, Designed by David Goodman
