Asquith: Storey Park to get cafe following council decision to scrap it in original plans
Hornsby Shire Council are accepting expressions of interest for a mobile cafe set up at Asquith’s Storey Park, which recently opened in January.
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A mobile cafe could be the latest addition made to Storey Park after it was unveiled earlier this year boasting a new multipurpose community centre and adventure playground.
It follows Hornsby Shire Council’s controversial decision to axe the original $600,000 cafe space concept from its plans back in 2017.
Back then, former councillor Jerome Cox told the Hornsby Advocate the council’s “rather disastrous experiences with other cafes in other areas” showed why a space for a cafe was not a good idea.
It was then suggested by ex-councillor, Antony Anisse, that a “semipermanent pop-up” cafe might work at no cost to council.
Cr Nathan Tilbury said it was satisfying to see his motion for the park in Asquith was unanimously supported this month.
“A cafe was in the original plan for Storey Park. It was always the council’s intention to open the park and then look at putting a cafe on the site,” Cr Tilbury said.
“My vision is that it’s the first step in delivering a more permanent solution but we need to test the market. I’m confident there will be high demand for that.
“There are lots of mothers groups that go to storey park. A cup of coffee and something to eat is part of that social process.”
He said the council is seeking expressions of interest.
“We haven’t had any expressions of interest so far but when it was being discussed before, I spoke to a lot of local businesses and they all looked upon it favourably.
“The Asquith Magpies set up a canteen there during their home games in winter which is built into the amenities block and they have an extension barbecue. They do quite well so we’ll be talking to them as part of this process as well.”
He said when it was being built, the council also received feedback from builders who said they had to travel 40 minutes to get a cup of coffee.
“They said to me the whole trip there and back was 40 minutes so there’s no competition around there.”
Councillors also agreed that they would encourage vendors to have to take on a low waste practice.
“Given the council’s commitment to reducing waste it would be good if we could consider a zero or low waste for the tender process,” Cr Emma Heyde said at the March council meeting.
“I would support the motion and the use of plastic friendly degradable products,” Cr Mick Marr added.