People living in Stoke and Hanley have few green spaces where they can go for a walk, exercise, take the dog out and have something to eat or drink.

A considerable sum of money was spent on the refurbishment of the Pavilion Cafe. This could have revived the park if it had been properly promoted and served people at times when they were likely to use the facilities. Instead, very few people knew about it (lack of marketing and signposting) and it was closed at key times (for example after school and during the park run).

We understand that the cafe has been run as a franchise and that it is the company with the franchise that has made the decision to close the cafe. Would it not make sense to seek a local firm to take on the cafe, one with an understanding of the area and a connection with the people that live nearby?