Landlord locks door of much-loved cafe and bookshop

Some well-known Bristol faces were among those who quickly mobilised to protest the sudden enforced closure of Hidden Corner on Tuesday.

The cafe and bookshop has established itself as a much-loved and valued safe space for many since it first opened in May.

But on Monday morning, Sophia Khan went to open for the day only to find chains locking the door shut and a notice from the landlord in the window.

Sophia, who runs the inclusive business off Portland Square in St Paul’s with her partner, Aaron Onuora, says they had no warning about the sudden enforced eviction from somewhere they have poured their life savings into and always paid the rent on time.

The notice on the window states the landlord has re-entered the property on Bishop Street and warns any attempt to enter the premises without permission could result in prosecution.

“This is a very real example of gentrification in Bristol and in St Paul’s,” said author Nikesh Shukla, who was among the crowd that turned out to show their support for Hidden Corner on Tuesday.

“This is an incredibly important space to me, I come here to work, I come here to read, I come here to just watch the world go by.

“But also, I’m an author and seeing as there are so few black and brown-owned bookshops in Bristol, knowing that these guys are here selling books by black and brown writers for the community is incredibly important.

“It’s one of the first places I come to buy books, especially for my kids. Without a space like this, where are people going to go?”

Some of the signs left outside Hidden Corner as people turned out to peacefully protest the shock closure of the much-loved cafe & bookshop – photo by Ellie Pipe

Unable to enter the cafe, people peacefully gathered on the pavement outside to stand in solidarity with Sophia and Aaron. Hot teas were handed out among the crowd, while many passers-by and neighbours popped over to voice their support.

The couple, who live in St Paul’s, realised their dream of opening a cafe and bookshop in the heart of the community when they took on the premises most recently known as Milk Teeth in May. They sell books for adults and children, mostly by black and brown authors, and queer authors.

Speaking on Tuesday, Sophia said: “We put all of our life savings into this place, so the queer community has got a safe space, the POC community have got a safe space, people who are on the poverty line have got a safe space to come. We want to do something for St Paul’s.”

Aaron Onuora and Sophia Khan opened Hidden Corner in May – photo by Martin Booth

Sophia said they have had some difficulties with the landlord in recent months and were made to feel their business did not fit with the image the property owner wanted to present to the Airbnb guests who come to stay on the floors above.

The notice taped to the window of the cafe states the landlord has re-entered the premises in accordance with the landlord’s power under clause seven of the lease.

But Sophia says that under this clause, the landlord should have given notice or have grounds such as unpaid rent; which she says is not the case.

Bristol24/7 has attempted to call and email the landlord on the contact details provided but had received no response at the time of publication.

Writer and performer Travis Alabanza is among those fighting to save the much-loved space.

“It’s so important to have a space that is actually a place used by all community members; Hidden Corner Cafe has been invaluable for that,” Travis told Bristol24/7.

“We lost Hydra bookstore two years ago. We can’t keep continuing to lose artistic spaces, especially when it’s run by people of colour.

“Bristol is known for its artistic community, it’s known for its culture, but what we’re seeing is gentrification rapidly taking all of that away. And so when we see spaces that are doing things that are adding to the community, we have to fight to keep them.”

The locked door and notice from the landlord on the window of Hidden Corner – photos by Ellie Pipe

“I feel like we don’t have many spaces in Bristol that offer community,” said Vivian Latinwo, who works at Dreadnought Books in Hotwells and also came out to support Hidden Corner.

“Here, you start to know locals and there’s a feeling here that I’m trying to protect and preserve.”

Main photo by Ellie Pipe

Read more: Couple to open their dream cafe and bookshop 

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