Colne park cafe ready to re-open

As well as busy coffee spots in the town centre, business ventures are also springing up in leafy settings.

The latest, at the pavilion in Alkincoats Park, is being offered by Pendle Council as primarily a summertime enterprise.

The café sits between the bowling green and the tennis courts, near the park entrance,

It’s a great place for dog walkers, young families, tennis players, bowling enthusiasts, ramblers and joggers,” said Coun. Nadeem Ahmed who has the responsibility for Pendle’s parks.

“We’re keen for the café to re-open so that people of all ages can call in for a drink, coffee and cake, an ice cream, or even stay for lunch.

“It’s an enterprising opportunity for anyone who’d like to run a friendly business.”

Pendle awarded a modest Tourism Grant to Tracey Bolton when she approached councillors about setting up a cafe at another of the area’s popular walking venues, at Ball Grove in Cotton Tree.

Her venture has been so successful that she is planning to open seven days a week from the end of the month, and extend the times when callers can pop in for a warm drink, have an ordered afternoon tea, or simply use the loo.

It was the need to find a loo for her young child which prompted Tracey to think about having a cafe at Ball Grove.

She enlisted the help of her partner Darren Williams to transform part of a building to her Lakeside Cafe and opened its doors in the autumn. Since then former Farmhouse Biscuits worker Tracey has taken on staff and also developed her prize-winning occasion cakes into a business.

To find out more about the cafe at Alkincoats contact Julie Hibbert in the Neighbourhood Services team at 9 Market Square, Nelson, by Monday, March 21st, or email [email protected] or call 661569.

Alternatively, contact Kieron Roberts on 661587 or email [email protected].