New management announced for country park cafe as council outsource operation to save money

A country park cafe that provides work opportunities for disabled people in Wrexham will soon be under new management.

Groundwork North Wales, an organisation which works with a number of partners and volunteers throughout the region to improve health and wellbeing across Wales, will operate the Alyn Waters cafe on behalf of Wrexham Council from April 1st.

Under Groundwork’s management, the cafe will be named Caffi Cyfle – Welsh for Cafe of Opportunity.

The change in management comes as a result of the council’s ongoing budget cuts and ‘reshaping of services’.

Currently the cafe, located on the Gwersyllt site of the country park, is owned by the council’s environment department and adult social care have run it by providing workplace training and employment for adults with learning disabilities.

In 2017 there was anger from councillors after proposals emerged in that ‘Difficult Decisions’ consultation to cease a £4 a day wage for those involved with the day and work opportunities projects, with the cafe in Alyn Waters also part of the wider discussion.

In a bid to make savings of £334,000 Wrexham Council last year put out an open invite for commercial and social enterprises interested in taking over the running of the cafe to get in touch.

Other proposed cuts – which escalated in a heated meeting in October 2018 – including stopping the two projects, Coverall and Portable Appliance testing (PAT).

In terms of Alyn Waters it was proposed that an alternative provider was procured to “continue to provide the cafe service”.

As part of the recommendation supported by the executive board it was also stated that the “contract specification would include a requirement for the contracted Provider to continue to offer work opportunities for people with disabilities”.

Karen Balmer, chief executive of Groundwork North Wales said the cafe will continue to provide and expand on the current opportunities available.

She continued: “Caffi Cyfle will continue the great work already undertaken by the Council to support the local community and we will continue to provide, and indeed develop, the range of inclusive employment and volunteering opportunities available through the café.

“We have put together a menu which reflects the best of Welsh produce mixed with our own flair to excite and tantalise our customers’ taste buds.

“We hope it will create a loyal following amongst both the local community and visitors to the area, both for those visiting the park and as a destination in its own right.”

Cllr David A Bithell, lead member for environment and transport, said: “We’re very pleased to be able to announce that Groundwork North Wales will be responsible for managing the cafe at Alyn Waters on our behalf, continuing the excellent work which has already taken place and that the cafe will continue in providing both a service for the community and opportunities for those who need them.”

Cllr Joan Lowe, lead member for health and adult social care, added: “It’s excellent news that Groundwork North Wales will be taking on the cafe at Alyn Waters.

“It’s been an excellent place for individuals with learning difficulties to learn new skills, and has provided them with some much-appreciated opportunities and work. And the new name, Caffi Cyfle, embodies that spirit.

“Groundwork are very well placed to continue that work, and we look forward to working with them once they take on the cafe at the start of April.”