Cafe in Fylde coast park to close permanently this month

A community cafe in the middle of a Fylde coast park is to close permanently at the end of this month.

A notice has gone up in the window of the Brew Café in Anchorsholme Park which announced the forthcoming closure but states the cafe will continue to offer a window-only service for three days after the closure.

The news has been greeted with sadness and dismay on local social media sites.

The Brew Cafe first launched in July 2020 when the revamped park was reopened after five years of closure due to an £80 million water project by United Utilities.

After operating a limited service due to Covid restrictions at that time, the cafe went on to become a recognised community hub and central point to the park.

The park was hit with another major blow in December last year when mindless vandals torched the pirate ship, the central feature of the park’s play area.

However, the Friends of Anchorsholme Park are working on a major five-stage project to rebuild the playground and launch replacement features.

WHAT NOTICE SAYS

The notice in the window states: “It is with great sadness that we announce that Brew Cafe will close permanently on Friday August 28, 2026.

“On August 29, 30 and 30 the window will be open for drinks , ice creams and light snacks.
“Thankyou to everyone who supported and loved the cafe, we appreciate you all.”

The notice gave no explanation for the closure.

The ambitious revamp project for the play area is being led by ward councillors Anita Cooper and Paul Galley in partnership with Blackpool Council and is aimed at ensuring the new playground truly reflects the wishes of local families.

The first stage has already been successfully completed, with pupils from Anchorsholme Academy taking part in workshops to share their ideas, imagination and aspirations for the new playground.

The second stage will see those ideas passed to specialist playground manufacturers who will develop a number of exciting design concepts based directly on the children’s suggestions.

Once the designs have been produced, residents, families and the schoolchildren themselves will be invited to review the proposals and provide feedback, ensuring the community has a genuine voice in the final outcome.

WHEN WILL PLAY AREA BE READY?

Following this consultation process, a winning design will be selected in November 2026 before moving into manufacture.

Installation of the new playground is scheduled to take place during Spring 2027.
In addition to the replacement of the main play area, the Friends of Anchorsholme Park will be delivering the refurbishment and enhancement of the remaining playground equipment as part of the wider project.

WHAT THEY SAID

Councillor Paul Galley said recently: “The arson attack was heartbreaking for many local families.

“The play ship was a much-loved feature of the park and its loss was felt across the community.

“However, out of that disappointment has come an opportunity to create something truly outstanding for our children and grandchildren. What makes this project special is that local children are helping to design it themselves.

“The new playground will stand as a symbol of a community coming together, listening to its young people and creating something even better than what was lost.”

Councillor Anita Cooper, chairman of the Friends group. added: “We wanted local young people to be at the heart of this project, and the ideas they have already produced have been fantastic.”

The two boys were arrested on January 15 on suspicion of arson. Blackpool Council said its CCTV team worked closely with police, sharing footage from the park that proved crucial to the investigation.