Hundreds of people are calling for a cafe to remain in the hands of a couple who have made them feel like “one big family”.

Par Cafe, in Edgwarebury Park, Edgwarebury Lane, Edgware, has been run for three years by Lily and Met Gjata. The cafe’s future is uncertain, as the current leaseholder is looking to end his lease, which has ten years left.

Mrs Gjata has come forward and said she would like to take over the lease. If she cannot come to an arrangement with the leaseholder, the cafe would be opened to the market, and Mrs Gjata would have to compete.

People gathered on Wednesday to present a petition supporting the couple, which has garnered more than 900 signatures, to Edgware Councillor Helena Hart, and to explain how important the cafe is to them.

Although the council cannot provide funding, Cllr Hart will present the petition to the next Hendon forum.

Mrs Gjata said: “The people I feel very comfortable with, they are like a family. When I started here, I started from zero. Now we are a strong community.”

Bill Brook, 67, who lives in Edgware, has been visiting the park for about two years.

He said: “People would disappear to different parks if the cafe closed. It’s very important. People travel far to come here. I love the park, it’s lovely to see it busy, but it would struggle without Lily.”

Alison Islin, 53, the outgoing vice chair of Barnet Voice for Mental Health, said: “I have been coming here for about 18 years. The cafe is so important for the park, Lily looks after everyone. The fact it has survived is testament to the strength of the community.

“If it closed, it would be very hard, especially for people who need it the most. You can go to another park, but you cannot have the same comradeship as there is here.”

Erik Gjata, 24, who is Lily and Met’s son, regularly helps at the cafe. He said: “We are part of the community. It’s one big family. People would like us to stay. We have a very strong relationship. They don’t want my mother to leave.

“We went on holiday, and people got in touch, worried she had gone forever. Everyone really loves my mum, it’s as if she has built a community around the park.”

Samuel Fine, 76, from Mill Hill, said: “They have spent money on gym equipment, so to have nowhere to rehydrate is ridiculous. It’s short-sighted. To close the cafe would be mad, we wouldn’t be able to come. It’s a beautiful park, but there would be nowhere to congregate.”

Cllr Hart said: “The important thing is we want to be helpful. I completely and utterly support the residents in their desire to keep the cafe open. We will assist them in every way that we can, to see that this essential facility continues. The council will be as co operative as possible.

“All the cafes are run as commercial ventures. The council cannot run the facility. But we want to help the family in their desire to make this a thriving facility for all the users of the park. We will help them with formulating a business plan, and will offer whatever advice and help is available.”

The park also has a problem with toilets, as there is only one disabled toilet available, which is often left in a “disgusting” state. It is hoped the toilet situation will be resolved as part of the negotiations.