​​​​​​​It’s ‘goodbye’ to Staffordshire Wildlife Trust as Council talks with new tenants for city beauty spot

After 15 years running the popular café at Westport Lake, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is moving on, but say it’s been the best experience getting to serve the local community.

After 15 years running the popular café at Westport Lake, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is moving on, but say it’s been the best experience getting to serve the local community.

The charity will officially stop trading at the site’s café on Sunday (September 29) following their decision to streamline their activities and focus on other nature restoration and community engagement projects across the City.

The council has been working behind the scenes to help limit the impact on visitors and is now in talks with new tenants who are due to take on the lease early next year.

Prior to any further announcement there will be some remedial works the council will need to carry out as part of the new lease arrangements.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Jane Ashworth, said: “We want to thank Staffordshire Wildlife Trust for all their dedication and hard work over the years and they will be sadly missed.

“Westport Lake is a local beauty spot that is close to my heart and we will be doing everything we can to ensure that new tenants keep this special place vibrant for visitors to enjoy.

“Westport Lake is a unique and wonderful escape for visitors and is a magnet for wildlife, all the more reason for ensuring that we maintain this attraction as a place where people want to spend time to relax and appreciate nature.

“The council will now be working hard to ensure the premises are suitable for the new tenant who will be revealed once all the necessary agreements are in place.

“Stoke-on-Trent City Council would like to wish Staffordshire Wildlife Trust all the best in their future endeavours, and the work they do locally to protect the county’s wildlife and wild places.”

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Chief Executive Julian Woolford said: “We’re sad to be leaving Westport Lake Visitor Centre. It's been a great base for the Trust, and over the years it has enabled us to connect with many thousands of people from the local community. 

“While we’re leaving this site, we’ll still be in Stoke running lots of events as part of our community outreach. We continue to work in schools and we are also scoping out further river restoration work with partners. We’re also excited to be working with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to explore how nature can be included in the centenary celebrations next year. 

“I would like to say a personal thank you to all the café staff for their hard work and dedication over the years, and their professionalism since the closure was announced. Finally thank you to all the customers who visited.”

While Staffordshire Wildlife Trust vacate the building, the café toilets will be out of action. However, the Council will be installing temporary toilets for visitors to use from Monday 30 September, which will be available to visitors until the café facilities reopen in the new year.