Park cafe remains closed because of ‘funding issues and loss of volunteers’
DERBY City Council has explained why a city park café has been closed for around 18 months.
The council says the café at Derby’s Arboretum Park has been closed due to “funding issues and loss of volunteer support”.
The café is said to have been closed since the coronavirus pandemic reached crisis point last year, although exact dates are known. More than a year on it is unclear when the café will reopen.
But the council has revealed it will soon invite interested operators to submit interest in taking over the café, possibly providing light at the end of the tunnel for the venue.
The reasons for its long-term closure are detailed in an answer to a question from Reform Derby councillor Timothy Prosser.
In his question Councillor Prosser asked: “Why are the council’s cafes still offering such poor and dreadful service?”
Cabinet member Ross McCristal responded: “In relation to Derby Arboretum and the café on this park, this was being operated on a lease arrangement by a voluntary
community group provider as a café and youth provision.
“Unfortunately, the provider was unable to continue to trade once the Covid pandemic hit and have been unable to reopen as the restrictions have eased. This is due to funding issues and loss of volunteer support.
“The provider has recently surrendered their lease and the council will be seeking expressions of interests to aim to secure a suitable provider for the site.
“In the meantime, a mobile catering licence for ice cream is in operation at the park with extended hours to enable a catering
service to be provided.”
Councillor Prosser said in his question that he felt café parks had been running a “crazy service” all year.
He said: “When I recently visited Alvaston Park it was window service only and the Arboretum has been vacant all year with no attempt to open or replace the operator. Private cafes around the city however have been booming and operating a full service in much poorer locations. They couldn’t dream of operating such prime location cafes with car parks, prime audiences and beautiful surroundings.”w