Hope springs at Lockside Café with new events after canal collapse
A Shropshire café says it has been overwhelmed by the support of the local community as it fights back against a canal breach that has threatened its future.
The Lockside Café at Grindley Brook, near Whitchurch, has unveiled a series of special events and showcases throughout spring to draw in the crowds – after losing 70 per cent of its trade following the closure of the Llangollen Canal.
The events kick off with a Bakers’ Day and Spring Market on March 29, with all the stalls already booked.
Chris Burtonwood, who runs the café with his mum Jane Beaumont, sister Rachel and brother Matthew, said the response since the canal collapse at Christmas had been ‘nothing short of incredible’.
“We cannot believe how much support the business community is showing us as we try to overcome the impact of the breach on our business.
“We have had an absolutely amazing response from local makers, producers and businesses who have all rallied round when we most needed it. We honestly cannot thank them enough.
“Our customers have been amazing too. We’ve had people come from as far as Wilmslow and Macclesfield just to get a coffee and slice of cake because they wanted to help us.”
Spring events lined up at the café – which sits beside the famous flight of locks on the Llangollen Canal – include:
March 29: Bakers’ Day and Spring Market
April 12: Spring Makers’ Market
May 10: Paws at Lockside – Summer edition
May 25: Music and community day
Businesses already confirmed for the March 29 showcase include award-winning pork pie specialists Powell’s Pies of Whitchurch, Telford-based traditional sweet shop Mrs Russell’s Sweets & Treats and Malpas homemade natural dog treat producer Kaynas K9 Treats.
Jane added: “These events will be perfect for families to enjoy a great day out by the canal, enjoy a cup of coffee and food at the café and pick up a special treat or two.”
The café sits alongside the A41 just outside Whitchurch and is open every day from 9am to 3pm. To find out more about the café and its range of events visit facebook.com/GrindleybrookLocksideCafe/.
