The island’s first medicinal cannabis café has admitted it has been a ‘bumpy ride’ since opening, with bus strikes and rising fuel costs making business tougher than expected.
But just weeks into its ‘soft launch’, founder Maria Bostock says external factors have made it harder than hoped to get people through the door.
Posting on social media, she said: ‘It’s been a bit of a rough start for us at The Green Lounge, if I’m honest.
‘Between the bus strikes and now the fuel situation, it’s been harder than expected to get people through the door, and there have definitely been moments where it’s felt a bit disheartening.
‘But we’re still here.’
The venue, based at 66 Parliament Street, opened earlier this month with a focus on creating a calm and welcoming space where people can enjoy coffee, homemade food and a range of alternative drinks.
Maria added: ‘We believe in what we’re building - a calm, welcoming space where you can come for a coffee, something homemade, or try something a bit different.’
The café offers a menu that includes so-called ‘nootropics’ and mushroom-based drinks, alongside more traditional café options.
Despite the early challenges, the team says it is pressing ahead with plans and has now introduced consistent opening hours so customers know when to visit.
Maria said she will also be baking fresh ‘botanical bakes’ daily as the café looks to build a regular customer base.
‘If you’ve been meaning to come in, this is your sign to pop down and support something local,’ she added.
The Green Lounge was first announced as a project aimed at supporting medicinal cannabis patients, with the founders keen to create a stigma-free environment centred on community and education.
The venue operates with strict rules, including requiring visitors to show valid prescriptions to access designated consumption areas, and does not allow smoking inside.