Decision details

To grant a Tenancy at Will to MM Coffee Company Limited at Beeches

Playing Fields. The Tenancy at Will, will allow the Company to place a coffee

kiosk and seating to sell refreshments and snacks. The Tenancy will run up

until the 5th December 2021. Intended as a trial basis only.

Beeches Playing field is one of the Councils most popular parks with

dog walkers, families using the playground and skateboard ramp and

families that are associated with nearby schools and nurseries.

A tender exercise took place and vendor were able to submit their

applications which were considered for this trial period and scored

against a matrix. This vendor was the successful candidate.

It offers this business a lifeline and the Council an opportunity to

assess the viability of this location. This opportunity is very much

about local, and about people being given an opportunity to survive

and the ability to be able to co-exist with other businesses as this

means another business can keep its head above the water.

The chosen vendor had already set up their business, acquired all

equipment, vehicles and branding needed and had a robust business

plan. They were ready to trade. The applicant is a local resident.

Our resources are being stretched because of the pandemic.

However, we have found, where the trials are occurring that the kiosks

are a conduit that people can use to report back to us. Effectively they

are helping us to manage the space and help manage antisocial

behaviours. They are our eyes and ears.

The Tenancy at Will being offered will be similar to the one that is

currently in place at Burrows playing field. The Council and the vendor

can terminate this agreement at any time allowing great flexibility for

the Council with this new venture. By allowing this Tenancy at Will to

be in place the council will be receiving income and allowing a local

business an opportunity to trade in these difficult times.

The Council could decide not to have a coffee kiosk in the park but it

would mean that we would not be receiving any income, there would

be no conduit to help be our eyes and ears or the ability to help a

struggling local business.

All consulted were in support. Below is more detail as to that consultation

process.

 Contacting ward members and where they responded they were in

support

 Parish councils were consulted and where they responded they were

in support

 Friends of Groups where they existed they responded in support

 Asset Management Working Group, were in support but were keen to

secure local traders

 Two cabinet papers, which showed unanimous support

 Parks and green spaces were championing this offer and they also

contacted local sports groups who were known to use the fields and

where they responded about the kiosk opportunity, they were in

support.

 The opportunity was also advertised the opportunity widely on social

media and on our webpage

 The S123 Notice was advertised in local papers for two consecutive

weeks.

Resulting from our consultation the Council received over 800

responses from members of the public which were overwhelming in

support (however these did tend to focus on the Hatherley opportunity).

Consultation has taken place in relation to the Cabinet papers