Sherwood Avenue Park food trailer plans submitted by Newark Town Council

Plans have been submitted which could see a food van positioned at a popular town park.

Sherwood Avenue Park in Newark is currently undergoing an extensive £500,000 redevelopment which will see new play equipment, skateboarding facilities, and biodiversity boosting planting.

Now, Newark Town Council, who have responsibility for the park, have submitted an application to sell hot and cold food, and non-alcoholic drinks at the park, as a way of creating new revenue stream for the council.

In October of last year, councillors approved the idea of providing a food vending service in principle after it was projected that the town authority could make as much as £26,000 a year from the venture — with peaks during school holidays.

Council officers have since drawn up plans and put together a business plan which will be reviewed by Newark and Sherwood District Council before a final planning decision is made.

The food vendor will take the form of a movable trailer or van, but will remain on an area of hardstanding in the north east corner of the park, known as the ‘Welcome Zone’ — but could be relocated if required.

It will make use of existing electrical connections and water supply points around the park and will therefore require no additional work to take place.

It is also asked that the trailer be allowed to open at any time between 8am and 8pm throughout the year, to allow flexibility in opening hours.

External furniture and paraphernalia, such as tables and chair will be provided and stored separately overnight. Litter bins will also be re-positioned in convenient locations.

In its planning submission, the town council states that not all aspects of the proposed food vending trailer or its operation are known.

The town council envisaged that the frequency and pattern of the trailer’s use may differ depending on the season — with school holidays likely to be busier — and to respond to events and works in the park, and future commercial success.

What are your thoughts on the plans? Let us know.