Bikers and locals raise £10k for cafe hit by fire

A cafe owner whose business burnt down says she has been overwhelmed by the "outpouring of support" from the community.

The View Coffee Shop in Milton Abbas, Dorset, was destroyed by fire in the early hours of 27 June and the neighbouring sports pavilion was also damaged.

Hayley Bridge, who launched the cafe in 2023, had recently undergone cancer treatment, including months of chemotherapy, and had been getting back on track before the fire happened.

Hundreds of people have donated to an online fundraiser to support the coffee shop and pavilion, which has so far raised more than £10,000.

Bridge says the View "will be back" but in the meantime she is planning a "pop-up cafe".

She thanked everyone who offered help, adding: "The incredible outpouring of support from the loyal customers of the View has been quite overwhelming."

The View is also a popular stop-off for cyclists and bikers and, since April, has been part of a UK-wide Bike and Brew Passport Event - a charity scheme for motorcyclists who collect stamps in a passport-style book at bike-friendly venues.

Posting on Facebook, organisers said any cash dropped in collection tins at participating venues throughout July would be donated to the cafe.

It said: "We are a community. We are a family. So when we heard about the devastating fire... we wanted to offer our support to Hayley and the team."

One passport community member has also organised a ride-out on 11 July to raise money for the View.

Ann Marie Kelly, who launched the online fundraiser, described the cafe and pavilion as "an incredibly valuable contribution to wellbeing" for the rural community.

Writing on the fundraising page, she said: "A team of dedicated people from Milton Abbas worked hard to turn a largely unused facility, through hard work, long volunteer hours, committee meetings, into something wonderful for us all to use and enjoy."

Milton Abbas Sports Club said it was "devastated" to learn of the cafe fire but thanked the neighbour who raised the alarm, which meant firefighters were able to arrive quickly and save the pavilion.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said three crews and a water carrier were called to the timber building in Hoggens Down at about 03:50 BST where they spent three hours tackling the blaze.

The cause is believed to be accidental.