Visitors to an award-winning park in Loughborough will soon be able to enjoy refreshments in revamped surroundings under new plans which have been revealed.

Charnwood Borough Council will be improving the outdoor seating area at Queen’s Park café, next to Charnwood Museum.

Work is due to start at the beginning of March and is scheduled to be completed in April.

The plans include improved access, a new canopy, landscaping, and furniture.

An illuminated archway will be added to the café entrance along with additional lighting. The area will also be surrounded by new shrub and flower beds. 

New paving will be added, and steps removed to make the seating area level to improve accessibility. In addition, the canopy will offer visitors more protection from the weather.

The improvements are part of the £2.87 million Living Loughborough project which is being led by Charnwood Borough Council, in partnership with Love Loughborough BID.

Loughborough Town Deal secured £16.9 million from the Government’s Towns Fund and is backing 11 projects, which in total are worth more than £40 million of investment for the town.

Queen’s Park Café is part of the Charnwood Museum building which is owned by the Council. The café is operated by Holly Kirkland.

The Council is working with Holly to minimise disruption to the café and its customers while the work is carried out.

The café will be open Wednesday to Saturday between 10am-3pm during the improvement works.

Customers will be able to access the café through Charnwood Museum while the café entrance is closed to facilitate the works.

Cllr Jennifer Tillotson, the Council’s lead member for Economic Development, Regeneration and Town Centres, said: “Queen’s Park is at the heart of Loughborough and this investment will make the outside seating area of the café more attractive to visitors.

“The Living Loughborough project is all about improving the town centre for all, and I am pleased this next element will soon be underway.”

Andy Reed OBE, Vice-Chair of the Loughborough Town Deal board, said: “Loughborough Town Deal backed the Living Loughborough project to help rejuvenate the town centre. The project has already delivered many benefits to the town and this part recognises the popularity of Queen’s Park as a place for people to meet and socialise.

“The park attracts many people into the town centre each year and this investment will bring lots of benefits to visitors to the park and museum as well as café customers.”

Holly Kirkland, who operates Queen’s Park Café said: “I’m looking forward to these improvements to the outside seating area of the café. It will refresh the look and feel of the area and the canopy will also mean customers can sit outside come rain or shine.

“I would encourage customers to continue visiting and supporting the café during the improvements and to follow us and the Council’s social media for the latest updates.”

Information about the works can be found on the Council’s website: www.charnwood.gov.uk/queenspark

The Living Loughborough project supported by the Town Deal includes:

• the introduction of new interactive digital trails to encourage people to explore the town centre and its heritage. The trails will feature augmented reality which means they will be able to ‘see into the past’ using a mobile phone app.

• holding more events

• digital signage to showcase local events and information.

• investment in Loughborough Markets including:

• flexibility to create areas to hold different types of events.

• addition of a covered area in Southfields Park to hold events.

• the expansion of CCTV cameras in four locations to improve public safety.

• the creation of a new post with Love Loughborough to support crime reduction in the town centre including the purchase of 100 new radios for traders as part of the retail radio scheme.

• more 1-2-1 support for businesses on topics including using digital technology and marketing.

• improvements to Queen’s Park including to the entrances from Granby Street and Granby Street car park, the addition of new information points, new lighting to the bandstand and improved lighting of the Carillon Tower.

• the expansion of free public wi-fi in the town centre to include Ward’s End, Devonshire Square, Bedford Square and Queen’s Park

Loughborough Town Deal’s committed investment has now reached almost £15 million.

To find out more about the Loughborough Town Deal projects, visit: www.loughboroughtowndeal.co.uk

The Town Deal Board involves representatives from Charnwood Borough Council, Loughborough University, Loughborough College, Love Loughborough, Leicestershire County Council, the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership, Charnwood Together Economy and Skills Group, local businesses and Loughborough MP Jane Hunt.

ENDS