£2.5m Stafford Victoria Park plan backed by residents

More than 500 people turned out to have a look at the proposals to overhaul Victoria Park in Stafford during a public consultation.

Plans for a new cafe bar on the site appeared to grab the most attention as part of the £2.5m revamp.

An improved entrance is another of the main features being lined up at the park by Stafford Borough Council.

As part of the next stage of the process the plans went on show in the town for people to have their say.

What do you think of the new look? Share your comments at the end of the article.

Charity worker Jesica Sotelo, aged 33, of North Walls, Stafford, said: "We go to the park quite often, it is important to maintain it.

"It is an important feature of the town. The cafe sounds quite interesting. It needs a little bit of work done to it, especially the toilet area."

Engineer Pablo Briff, 33, also of North Walls, added: "The plans are okay, it needs money spent on it. Every time it rains it gets flooded.

"It is going to benefit the park and I would like to see the shop to buy coffee."

Des Bowes, aged 69, of Searle Avenue, Stafford, also said he was impressed.

"I think it is very good as far as it goes. It does look rather nice. I think it will be a nice idea with the cafe, it is a nice place to stop.

"But I wouldn't want to see too much paved area at the entrance."

Vicky Wood, secretary of the Friends of Victoria Park, added: "I am delighted that so much of the park is going to be restored to its Edwardian splendour.

"I think having a facility where people can go and get a drink under cover is good.

"People are very positive, the only negative has been people who are afraid it is going to change from the park they know and love."

But Terrence Deighton, 83, of Eccleshall, said although he wasn't against money being spent on the park, whether so much was necessary. "I appreciate it is an attempt to get it back to the original Edwardian environment," he said.

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"But having said that, there are other things which really need doing. Less money could be spent on the park and more money on repairing of pavements and roads."

The borough council is launching a new bid for lottery money to carry out the major restoration scheme after similar attempts were turned down last year.

Victoria Park is more than 100 years old and, as one of the best parks and open spaces in the country, has been awarded the Green Flag for the past eight years.

In 2011 the council transformed the play area of the park, which has proved an enormous success with families and young people. The council has set aside just over £800,000 and is aiming to get another £1.6m from the Heritage Lottery Fund to go ahead with the work.

The authority will make the first submission to the fund at the end of August when all the views have been collated.

The cafe will cater for 40 people inside and the river terrace will be able to accommodate 40 diners.

Anthony Dale, head parks facilities officer at Stafford Borough Council, said they were pleased to get the views of the public. "It has been very good feedback, people have been very supportive," he said.

"People of Stafford love Victoria Park, are very proud of Victoria Park, and appreciate what we are trying to do."