Protecting a vital welcoming space for Craigshill, Livingston and the wider West Lothian community

​We, the undersigned, are calling for urgent action to protect and secure the future of the community café at Craigsfarm Community Hub.

​Craigsfarm has long been described as a place at the heart of the community, since 1969 offering people somewhere to meet, eat, learn, volunteer, access support and feel welcome. The café is not simply a place to buy food and drink; it is a central part of the hub’s purpose and identity.

​The potential loss of the café would be a serious blow to local residents, families, volunteers, community groups and visitors who rely on Craigsfarm as a safe, accessible and friendly space. It would also reduce the number of room bookings and weaken the overall appeal of the hub's all-in-one service.

​🛑 Why the Café Matters

• ​A place of connection: The café helps reduce isolation by giving people somewhere informal and welcoming to meet others, have a conversation and feel part of community life.
• ​Support for families: With accessible facilities, a family-friendly environment and nearby play space, the café provides an important place for parents, carers and children to spend time safely and affordably.
• ​A lifeline for local groups: Many groups, meetings, classes and events benefit from having refreshments, catering and a social space available on site. The Café also hosts drop-in services for financial wellbeing (such as The Bridge) and social events on behalf of the Carers of West Lothian.
• ​Support for wellbeing: The café creates a warm, inclusive setting where people can relax, talk and access the wider hub. The café also has a fund provided by donations from the community to provide food for anyone in need.
• ​Community ownership and pride: Craigsfarm exists because of years of community commitment, investment and support. Losing the café would undermine the spirit of what the site was created to do.

​⚠️ The Impact of Losing the Café

​If the café were to close, the impact would reach far beyond the loss of a food service. It would reduce the accessibility and attractiveness of Craigsfarm as a community hub, particularly for people who may already face barriers such as loneliness, limited transport, low income, disability, caring responsibilities or poor mental health.

​For many people, the café is the first step into Craigsfarm. It offers a friendly reason to visit, a bridge into other services, and a place where relationships are built naturally. Removing it would weaken the whole site and affect community projects, volunteering opportunities, events, and the sense of belonging that Craigsfarm has worked hard to create.

​📋 Our Request

​We ask the relevant decision-makers, funders, trustees, partners and local representatives to work together with urgency to find a sustainable solution that keeps The Gathering Ground Café open and protects its role within the wider hub and community.

​We ask that the café’s value is recognised not only in financial terms, but in terms of community wellbeing, inclusion, accessibility and social connection.

​We believe that saving the café means protecting the heart of Craigsfarm. Its loss would be felt deeply across Craigshill, Livingston and the wider community. We therefore urge everyone who values Craigsfarm, its café and its community purpose to support this petition.