New café at Devizes

WORK by volunteers of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, have meant there is now a new café at the Wharf in Devizes on the Kennet & Avon Canal.

The café was officially opened by Kelvin Nash, Mayor of Devizes, on Friday 10th August, followed by a celebratory reception for the Trust's supporters and volunteers, prepared from the café's refurbished kitchen. The photograph depicts Mayor and Mayoress of Devizes, Kelvin and Pam Nash.

Updated

The 28 seater Canal Trust Café, on the first floor of the Trust's Devizes Wharf building, was updated  to provide a new, bright and airy meeting place for local residents and tourists.

The three-month project, which also saw the creation of easier access for disabled people and improved toilet facilities, is part of a larger initiative to attract more visitors to the building, which also houses the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Museum, and which describes the Kennet & Avon's history from medieval times through to the securing of cruiseway status in 2010.

Generates income

The café is being run by husband and wife team Tarkan and Victoria Kisioglu, (pictured) who already oversee a successful fundraising Trust café at Bradford on Avon. This partnership between the Trust and professional catering partners generates income, and provides new work for local people.

The café will be available for functions, with the seating arranged to accommodate up to 40 people, and there are hopes to apply for an alcohol licence to increase the types of events that can be held at the site.