Star comment: New look park must have room for ice cream

The businessman fears that the planned improvements to the beautiful riverside park will force him to retire.

Mr Simcock's kiosk has supplied generations of Stafford youngsters with cones and lollies over four decades.

The plans for the £2.2 million park revamp, given the go-ahead this week, include the demolition of his beloved kiosk and replacement with a cafe with an indoor area for 40 seats.

It makes good sense for facilities for park visitors to be upgraded and the idea of an amphitheatre to be used for entertainment would be a great addition.

But surely some space could be found for a new kiosk to enable Mr Simcock to stay in business.

He clearly could not afford to take on the renting of the cafe and Stafford Borough Council will be looking to find another tenant to run it.

Mr Simcock deserves to be given the opportunity to stay in business in the park and continue to delight young park users with traditional ices.

A new kiosk, perhaps closer to the children's play area, could easily be worked into the revamp which still depends on the outcome of a funding application to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The council needs to talk to Mr Simcock to see if a way around the issue can be found.

A temporary kiosk will certainly be needed when the demolition takes place and perhaps that would offer the opportunity to find a good site for a replacement kiosk to give Mr Simcock the opportunity to stay in business.

Victoria Park with its new amphitheatre, relocated aviary, and education centre for up to 20 students will be an even more attractive place for families to enjoy.

The project does include the redecorating of the bowls pavilion, refurbishment of the toilet block and modernisation of the park’s bandstand.

Let's hope that the traditional flavour of the park is maintained and that the good old ice cream business can be retained.