“ I, like so many, were shocked to see the brutal closure of such a welcoming, friendly little 'oasis', used by so many over the years. I feel a personal loss, for it was a popular meeting place for visiting friends, or on a cold day to pop in for a hot white chocolate. The family who ran the place knew all the regulars & always had time for a chat.
So many elderly & disabled people used the cafe. Some of my own adult children work with adult people with autism, also learning difficulties & some with behavioural problems. They were always made welcome at Oasis, unlike many of the other cafe's in Barnet. It grieves me to see one 'special needs' person looking so lost in The Spires, because his little safe & sheltered corner outside Oasis can no longer be used. He wanders around, still chatting to people who know him over the years,but the weather s turning cold now & he has nowhere he can safely sit over his hot drink & hold 'council' with all the people who chat to him.
I like to support all local business, but this greedy ownership of the Spires makes me want to go elsewhere to spend money on necessities. I am angry too that the car park owners have imposed a payment on Blue Badge holders who want to use the shopping centre. The 90 yr old disabled lady I take shopping who has always used Waitrose, is distressed by this & even thinking of going to Sainsburys instead. How can Barnet be regenerated under these draconian conditions?
Talk about shooting themselves in the foot!! Shortsighted is a mild description!! ”