Charity tea room may close despite Ludwig filming

A tea room being used to film the third series of Ludwig starring David Mitchell could close permanently unless it raises £25,000.

Trustees of the volunteer-run Liberty Tea Rooms and Community Hub in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, said the charity was in an "extremely low cash position".

Mark Kitson, chairman of the trustees, said the series being filmed at the venue had created a real buzz and it had been good to hire it out "at a time that we really need the extra funds".

The tea room is temporarily closed until 7 October while filming takes place for Ludwig; its frontage has been transformed to resemble a bank, which it was before becoming a community venue.

The charity has already reduced staffing costs, but trustees said it would close permanently unless it raised £25,000 by the end of October.

Kitson said: "Lots of towns and high streets are having tough times at the moment.

"When you come into the Tea Rooms, someone will welcome you, talk to you if you want a chat, offer a meal if you need it, and can also provide debt advice or a food bank parcel.

"You might just want tea and a scone, but if you need something more, we will do our very best to help you."

Filming will take place inside and outside the building over several weeks, with a rain machine due to be used for one scene.

Kitson said the production team would restore the tea room once filming was completed, as well as repairing a broken window and updating its signage.

He added: "The filming has been brilliant. It's created a real buzz and excitement on Hemel Hempstead High Street, and for our team and volunteers, they have also paid us a fee for being in the building at a time that we really need the extra funds."

Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.