VANDAL ATTACK ON PARK TEA ROOMS
Tile damage is put down to ‘boredom’
VANDALS climbed on to the roof of a popular cafe and caused tiles to smash on the ground.
Staff at Aynsley Tea Rooms in Longton Park called in police after discovering the damage to the former bowls pavilion.
It is thought to have happened on Monday night.
The cafe – which opened in 2019 after a 10-year fight by residents – is staffed by students with additional needs from Strathmore College.
Now community leaders say they want to ‘work with’ the vandals to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Councillor Lilian Dodd said: “I would like to meet them and if they are bored we can find them something to do in that park. I would like to work with them.
“It’s a beautiful park and there’s so much that needs to be done.”
Councillor Dodd said a similar incident at the park had previously been resolved for the better.
She said: “A few years ago the skate park was being vandalised, and we met with the young people. They helped to paint it and helped with the designs.
“We have got an amazing facility there. Young people can chat with their friends and have a drink, under normal circumstances. It’s taken us ten years to get that cafe, and every penny in that cafe goes to improving the park and its facilities.”
Tea room manager Teresa Slizewski-whalley, aged 47, said: “I can’t understand why they would be doing it. It’s such a shame really, there’s nothing else for them to do. I just can’t understand it.
“We’ve got these young people from Strathmore College, and a lot of volunteers in the local community are putting in the time and effort to make a go of this business, and this is what we’re getting. It’s saddening really.”
Staffordshire Police confirmed they are investigating and that ‘inquiries are ongoing’.
■ Anyone with any information should message Staffordshire Police on Facebook or Twitter or call 101.