Now there will be a right scrum for a cuppa

The current establishment, Cup Cakes Caf, has been built up from nothing to a cosy, welcoming caf that serves all park users, come rain or shine, and is open seven days a week, even in the depths of winter.

The current proprietor has asked the council to extend the lease and has offered to put money into extending the facilities, but "no".

At a meeting of the leisure services committee on March 12, the lease was awarded to the rugby club.

I wonder why the current proprietor's offer was not considered. I wonder why the council does not seem to have to show that it has got best value for the lease.

I am sure that we can all draw our own conclusions.

So, the caf has to be open to the public 90 per cent of the year.

Well, currently, it is open 100 per cent of the year for all and sundry.

We all know what will happen over time.

The rugby club will increasingly make it appear its facility, and access to all park users will be less welcome.

What happens when the rugby club is serving players with hot meals and drinks at the end of a game?

I would suggest that the casual dog walker who uses the park every day (and not just Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings, like the rugby club) will have a long wait on his or her hands.

Let's also monitor the opening times, which, you can rest assured, won't be every day, 9.30am to 5pm, which they are now.

Buckingham Park is a fantastic community facility used by many for numerous recreational pleasures.

I challenge Adur council to demonstrate that it has been through a process in which it has considered all the options and has got maximum access, together with best value, for all its council tax payers.

Keith Tulley

via email

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