Hey supportive folks,
We're nearing nearly 30 days since the Rose Garden Cafe was closed (July 27th) and we've yet to see any movement from Sheffield City Council (the sole trustee of Graves Park Charity) in setting up a temporary cafe, or releasing the second survey they had done to the public.
Here's what we do know:
1) The council have admitted that the cafe remained open after receiving the initial survey report, for 5 weeks. Despite them claiming the building is unsafe enough to warrant closure.
2) The council have admitted that they have only undertaken reactive repairs on the building, and not maintained it.
3) The locks on the building have been changed and the tenants (Brew Kitchen) have still not been allowed in to retrieve their stock.
4) The council have stated that a temporary provision can be installed within the park at the tenants cost (!!) and if they are not interested they will open the opportunity up to other interested parties.
5) The cafe has now been closed for 28 days, meaning a huge loss of revenue (at the busiest time of the year) for the tenant, and the Graves Park Charity, to whom all money from the cafe should go to, in order to contribute to the maintenance and upkeep of the park (Including the cafe itself!). Not to mention the 12 staff who are out of work, or have now had to look for alternative employment - or the loss of a meeting space for the cafe regulars.
What are we still waiting for:
1) Responses to all the questions we asked at the public meeting
2) Visibility of the second structural survey completed on the 8th August
3) Any information/plan/movement on a temporary provision being installed
What is the Save the Rose Garden Cafe Campaign doing:
1) We have a meeting with the head of SCC Terry Fox scheduled for 25th August where we intend to ask a number of questions.
2) We're continuing to maintain the visibility of the campaign, to keep pressure on the council, via social media, television and radio. We will not be silenced!
How you can help:
1) Whilst the petition itself has gained over 7,000 votes (thank you!), we still need to hit 5,000 votes specifically from the people of Sheffield. When we hit this number, we will trigger an automatic full council debate on the issue. So you can help by asking friends and neighbours in Sheffield to sign the petition. Share it, shout about it!
2) You can complain to your local councillor, whether you're in the area of Graves Park or not, it doesn't matter. The park was gifted to ALL the people of Sheffield, it is all of ours.
https://forms.charitycommission.gov.uk/raising-concerns/
The Charity is “The Graves Park Trust”, number 510841
So if you don't think your council is acting in the best interests of a charity where they are the trustees drop them a line and tell them what you think.
3) You can donate to the fundraiser that FOGP have set up:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/RoseGardenCafeGravesPark
4) You can join the dedicated STRGCC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/saverosegardencafe/
OR visit the dedicated campaign website we have set up to keep up to date on developments:
https://savesheffield.org/
Thank you for your support this far, we will keep you updated as and when we know more.
Many Thanks,
Liz