Details
Murray Park has become a place where people stop, sit and connect — families watching weekend football, dog walkers chatting, elderly residents enjoying a coffee, and even neighbours celebrating birthdays together. As a local resident and mum to two young children, Murray Park is a place my family uses regularly. I set up the original drinks, food and seating provision because it was something I genuinely felt was missing — somewhere to enjoy good-quality drinks, snacks and light food, sit comfortably, and spend time together while children play, take part in organised sports, or while dog walkers pause during their daily routines. During the trial period, it quickly became clear how much this was valued by the wider community. Families, dog walkers, elderly residents and disabled park users regularly used the space, particularly those who benefit from accessible, all-weather seating and nearby refreshments. It was genuinely lovely to watch people gather in front of the truck — chatting, sharing coffee and bakes, and even celebrating birthdays together. Many people continue to ask when the service will return, which shows how important it became to everyday park life. However, operating a fully mobile set-up comes with significant physical and safety challenges. Daily manual handling, repeated movement in and out of the vehicle during busy park hours, carrying heavy water containers, and accessing electrics via a ladder made it difficult to operate consistently and safely — particularly in wet or slippery conditions where children and dogs are often moving freely nearby. The current trial agreement concludes in March, after which there is an opportunity to consider a more permanent solution. Allowing a vehicle to remain overnight, or introducing a small semi-permanent structure with appropriate seating, would reduce these risks and enable a safe, reliable service that better supports the needs of all park users. Similar arrangements already exist elsewhere in the borough, including Radnor Gardens, which has a semi-permanent refreshment provision. This petition reflects a strong local desire for a practical, inclusive and sustainable good-quality drinks, light food and seating provision that enhances Murray Park for everyone — young families, dog walkers, elderly residents, disabled park users and regular visitors alike
Started by: Tara Phillips-besarani (on behalf of Natures Nurture on wheels Ltd )
This petition ran from 17/02/2026 to 10/07/2026.
Council response
The Council welcomes the interest shown through this petition and recognises the positive contribution that refreshments and seating can make to the visitor experience at Murray Park.
The Council supports the principle of providing an appropriate food and beverage offer within the park and is actively working to secure the necessary arrangements to enable this to continue in the longer term.
As part of this work, officers are progressing a planning application to support a suitable refreshment facility at Murray Park. This will help ensure that any future provision is compliant with planning requirements and can continue to serve park users on a sustainable basis.
The Council recognises the positive feedback received from residents regarding the previous refreshment offer and the role it played in creating a welcoming space for families, park users and the wider community.
We would like to thank the petitioners for taking the time to share their views. The Council remains committed to supporting an appropriate refreshment offer at Murray Park and will continue to update residents as this work progresses.
Signatures
18 people have signed this petition.
