Lib Dems call for Graves Park Café to be Saved

The Graves Park Liberal Democrats are expressing their concerns around the Graves Park Café after it emerged that due to roof issues it is being shut down, at least temporarily.

The local team have met with Council officers yesterday (3rd August) to look into the situation with regards to the café. Having met with the Friend of Graves Park and liaised with them over recent days they have agreed an action plan and are trying to establish a clear way forward for the café.

Local Councillor Ian Auckland Commented; “For more than twenty years as a Councillor with the support of my Liberal Democrat Colleagues and before that as Chair of the Hands Off Graves Park Committee I have campaigned to protect every blade of grass in Graves Park. But for many the Graves Park Café and Rose Garden is the heart of the park, as it is for me.”

“Sadly the Café has been let down by the Council’s Labour and Green leadership in recent years, with a refusal to appoint local Councillors, (acting through Local Area Committees,) as trustees and involving Friends Groups and other users in the management of the Graves Park Charity. We know that local people feel strongly about this wonderful establishment, and we wish to see it preserved for them.”

“We also want to see any proposals to save the café be as green as possible going forward. With possibilities like a ground source heat pump, a small wind turbine and solar panels options that could be installed to make the Café environmentally friendly and sustainable going forward.”

“Let’s get behind a plan to make the café as it stands fit for the next 100 years and the greenest park café in the country.”