A POPULAR café and wedding venue has announced it will be leaving a city centre park next month after failing to reach an agreement with Newport City Council.

Parc Pantry will be giving up their tender the tearooms and conservatories in Newport’s Belle Vue Park from October 31, 2018.

The company have confirmed that all bookings made with a deposit will be honoured by the council after they have left the site.

In a statement released today (September 25), a spokesman for Parc Pantry said the decision was taken with a “huge amount of regret and sadness”.

"As much as we would have liked to remain in Belle Vue it saddens us to say that certain sections of Newport City Council and ourselves are moving apart in very different directions over what we feel are in the best interests of the park, its patrons and how the tearooms should operate going forward," read the statement.

“Whilst we haven’t be able to resolve the existing issues with current council officers we would always welcome a meeting with any of the current administration to explore any forward thinking outcomes.

READ MORE: Belle Vue Park tearooms transformed by Newport duo

“As a brand we have always supported Newport being our hometown and loved our time in Belle Vue serving its great community; which has also given us the opportunity to become a social enterprise helping individuals from all walks of life return to work through direct experience alongside our own teams.

“Unlike many businesses we’re fortunate enough to be going out on a high and can only hope that the newest incumbents entering the tearooms in Belle Vue will share the same community ethos and love for Belle Vue Park that ourselves and all our staff have.

“The Park truly is a special place and we’re hugely proud to have played a part in so many people’s lives through weddings, baby showers, and our own events such as Party in the Parc, Outdoor Cinema’s, treasure hunts and so many more that we struggle to recount.”

The council has been asked to comment.

A spokesman for the company added that they were still actively looking for new venues across South Wales, and made it clear the announcement did not affect their principal store in Malpas.

 

(Parc Pantry owners Matt Ellis (L) and Anthony Cooke)

A retendering notice has been on the council’s website since Friday, September 21, and a spokesman for the local authority confirmed Parc Pantry had decided not to renew their licence and gave notice to the council less than two weeks ago.

They added: “The current concession holder has had the café licence for the last three years and had developed this venue into a popular destination for events, weddings or just a cream tea in the park.

“As Parc Pantry decided not to renew their licence, the council has advertised an opportunity for appropriate organisations to express an interest in providing a high quality catering service at the tearooms as well as organising events within the Pavilion building and East conservatory.”

Independent Rogerstone Councillor, Chris Evans, said: "Matt lives in Rogerstone. He and his business partner Ant and the incredible team were one of the first to bring quality coffee award food and superb service  to Newport.

"I would urge colleagues at the council and the current administration to reach out and explore creative solutions to do all they can to keep the guys at Belle Vue.

"It's not to late to keep this unique Newport success story alive in Belle Vue. All we need is the will be back a local business."