New mobile coffee shops ‘inappropriate’ for park

VISITORS to Cardiff’s Bute Park could soon get a coffee from three new catering pitches proposed for the northern part of the park.

The three pitches would be by the Blackweir bridge, by Talybont student halls, and behind the ambulance station.

But the plans have already come under fire from the chair of Cardiff Civic Society, who warned they are “inappropriate” for Cardiff’s “green heartland”.

Cardiff Council is advertising the “mobile catering opportunities” and inviting businesses to tender for the pitches.

David Jones, a council surveyor, said: “The strategic estates department would like to invite interested operators to tender for the opportunity to trade at three designated catering pitches from a mobile catering unit within the northern part of Bute Park.

“Users of the central and southern areas of Bute Park have the choice of three cafes, but a significant number of users pass only through the northern areas, so a potential gap in the market has been identified.”

That part of the park is well-used by people playing rugby, football and cricket, as well as runners and cyclists.

Mr Jones said: “Northern Bute Park is well-used by the sporting fraternity as it contains sports pitches at Blackweir, fitness equipment, popular routes for running, walking and cycling.

“It is also very well-used by the student population housed in residences along the park’s eastern boundary.

The Welsh Ambulance Service Trust are based at a unit behind Blackweir Changing Rooms and staff may also wish to access the opportunity.”

But the plans have drawn criticism from campaigners who raised concerns about litter.

Nerys Lloyd-Pierce, chair of the Cardiff Civic Society, said: “Three such pitches are wholly inappropriate for our glorious listed parkland, particularly as the Covid-19 tragedy has underlined how important informal green space is for the wellbeing of the population.

“It is also inevitable that takeaway food will be consumed on the move and the packaging discarded. Therefore the problem of litter will increase hugely within the park.

“Mobile units will also contribute to noise pollution and increased use of plastic, and are not a sustainable option for our green heartland.

“The council is the custodian of Bute Park, and has a moral obligation to preserve the integrity, tranquillity and biodiversity of this irreplaceable public open space.

“Bute Park deserves better than to be exploited for shortsighted, shortterm commercial gain.”

People interested in tendering for the pitches should contact Cardiff council by November 27. The council will consider each application based on the proposed menu, experience and qualifications, trading schedule and business plan.

Applicants are also asked to explain how the business will minimise waste and operate in an environmentally conscious way.

Whoever takes on the pitches will be responsible for clearing up litter within 20 metres of the site.