Cafe opens in Birmingham park two years after planning permission was denied

A new cafe has opened in New Hall Valley Country Park two years after planning permission for a permanent cafe was denied. Owners of dog grooming business Bark had asked for permission to build a cafe in the park but it was denied by council chiefs to concerns over its impact on the green belt and on a nearby listed building.

Now Bark Bistro has opened in the park, a food van instead of a permanent structure. It is offering take-away food and drinks in the beauty spot as well as ice creams and lollies.

Bark Bistro was to initially be a 139sqm cafe on the site of an existing 60sqm office block in the country park, accomodating 80 people. However, locals raised concerns about the impact on traffic, road access, parking issues and the potention for crime if it was used as 'a gathering place for youngsters' and owners went back to the drawing board.

Read more: Café plan for Sutton Coldfield park rejected but landowners confirm new proposal

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Amber Berry from Bark Bistro said that provisions have been made to alleviate any concerns from locals that were raised during the initial planning application. Six further car parking spaces for visitors have been added as well as a number of bins around the grounds to discourage littering. While there is outdor seating, Amber says that the van is predominantly targeted at take-away customers.

Amber said: "A few years ago a planning application was denied so that's why we went down the route of having a food van, so it's not a permanent structure but it's set in the grounds. We've taken all feedback into consideration, adding another six car park spaces, though we're targeted to walkers and take-away anyway.

"The previous plan was to have a place where 40 people could sit in but this isn't that at all. We've put seven or eight bins around the grounds."

Amber said that so far the feedback from locals had been positive. She said: "People at the school have been happy and the residents that have come down so far have been really excited for it, saying it's such a brilliant addition."

Amber explains: "Anyone that wants to come down for a coffee can come, we're dog friendly and child friendly so if you're walking through the park, we're there. In the summer we hope to create a nice garden vibe and it's quite picnicky, which is really nice."

As far as the food and drink offering goes, Bark Bistro is serving hot and cold drinks including teas, coffees and iced coffes as well as fruit coolers. "Food is a 'create your own' so you can pick a sandwich, wrap, salad, jacket potato or panini and then add your fillings and sauces," Amber says. "It's just nice, easy take-away food as well as cakes, chocolate bars, snacks and cold drinks."

Amber says that there are umbrellas and some sheltered areas for dog walkers and families to sit outside.

The cafe is open from 7:30am until 4pm from Monday to Friday and from 9am until 3pm on Saturdays. It's closed on Sundays.