Park cafe idea is criticised by councillors

They used their meeting on July 9 to state their doubts about the success of the intended operation in the popular open space.

The Observer previously reported Pistachios in the Park had been given preferred operator status by Arun District Council for the venture.

The chain of six restaurants in open spaces bans greasy food from its menus. They instead feature a healthy all-day breakfast, sandwiches and homemade soup.

Cllr Jeanette Warr (Lib Dem, Hotham) said: “I am very concerned about the whole thing. I’m not sure this restaurant is going to be used by the community.

“I can’t imagine people parking in the park’s car park and trudging through the park in the dark to it in the middle of the winter.”

Cllr Roger Nash (Lab, Pevensey) said the choice of possible operator had divided the Arun councillors responsible for the decision.

“There was quite a row about this, to be diplomatic about it,” he said. “The concession is not quite what the district council had in mind when it talked about a destination restaurant.

“There was talk of a treehouse restaurant in the park, which was an exciting and innovative idea, but that seems to have gone by the board.

“The plan now is for a two-storey building by the boating lake. We will have to see how it works out.”

Pistachios in the Park has three months to compile detailed plans.