A FAMILY-RUN CAFE has unveiled a packed programme of events for the rest of summer and autumn as it continues to fight back against a canal closure.
The Lockside Café, at Grindley Brook near Whitchurch, says the support of the local community has been vital since the breach of the Llangollen Canal last Christmas wiped out the vast majority of its passing trade.
The café has already run a series of successful music days, craft fairs and makers’ markets, and says they will continue into late summer and autumn.
Events already lined up for later in the year include:
* August 9: Fun dog show and dog day
* September 13: Harvest at Lockside with a makers’ market and stalls
*October 11: Autumn Makers’ Market
* October 18: Fun dog show and dog day
Jane Beaumont
Jane Beaumont, who runs the café with her son Chris and daughter Rachel,said the café had already staged successful music days, markets and its first dog show earlier in the year, she tells:
“We had 15 dogs entered for the first show and up to 80 people attend on the day, so it was an absolutely brilliant event. The buzz in the café was lovely and the whole day was a huge success.
“All of the events have made such a difference to us since the canal closure and the support we have had from the local community has been absolutely wonderful.
“At this time of year we would normally see a steady stream of boats mooring up and calling in for something to eat and drink, but that is simply not the case this year because of the closure. Our summer trade is down 90 per cent.
“Without the boat trade, every cuppa or slice of cake we sell helps keep the café going and we hope people will keep popping in and supporting us as often as they can. The backing of the community has really kept our spirits up over the last six months.
“I know that the closure has affected a lot of other businesses around the town and along the canal too, including a number of pubs, and I hope that people will continue to support all of us while the canal remains out of action.
”The café’s future was itself thrown into doubt when the canal collapse wiped out 75 per cent of its trade overnight. The Lockside Café sits alongside the A41 just outside Whitchurch and is opens daily from 9am to 4.30pm."
More information and event updates can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/GrindleybrookLocksideCafe/