THE coffee shop at Wordsley’s historic Red House Glass Cone has ceased trading, with rising costs blamed for the closure.

The Red Cone Coffee House, based in the courtyard of the Dudley Council-run tourist attraction in Camp Hill, shut up shop for good on Monday (January 22), a post on the business’s Facebook page confirmed.

Seven people have lost their jobs as a result of the closure, which comes shortly after vital restoration work on the Grade II listed cone structure got underway in earnest.

The post on the Red Cone Coffee House Facebook page read: “It is with great sadness that we must share the news that after 11 wonderful years, the Red Cone Coffee House ceased to trade on January 22.

“Unfortunately, ever increasing costs have meant that the Coffee House is no longer viable and despite our very best efforts, we have been unable to secure a future for the business.”

The notice said most customers with future bookings have now been notified – adding: “We would like to thank all of our team, customers and colleagues for their invaluable support over the years. We have enjoyed your company, your stories and your friendship immensely.

“We would also encourage you to keep visiting the Red House Glass Cone site. We may not be there anymore but there are many wonderful small businesses on site who need your support now more than ever.”

Traders with craft studios at the cone have also urged people to continue to visit the site, which remains open for a variety of activities despite the restoration work which is expected to take around 18 months.

Carly Grandini-Williams, general manager of Saz's Ceramics & Crafts, said: “We are all working hard and fighting to get visitors on site, but it is hard due to the refurbishment being carried out on the cone itself. People take one look at the scaffolding and think we are all closed.”