Ward Jackson Park cafe in Hartlepool becomes community shop to help keep people fed

The Place in the Park in Ward Jackson Park has been closed to visitors since the lockdown four weeks ago.

But it has developed into a community corner shop, serving customers remotely from its hatch and supplying nearby residents with groceries, essentials and prepared homemade meals.

The service has proved so popular it has had to employ a driver to keep up with demand for deliveries across the town.

Cafe owner Maria Seymour said: “I feel very lucky we were able to adapt the business to still remain in operation under very difficult times.

“But the response from customers has been overwhelming and so appreciated that we are so glad we can help in their time of need.

“We are getting lots of people coming to get their shopping to save them queuing at the supermarkets.

“We have had to get a delivery driver to help go out to people who can’t get out.”

The cafe is selling essentials such as bread, milk, eggs, flour, fruit and veg, some meat, homemade cakes and scones, plus a range of meals that can be reheated later including stews, corned beef pie and mince and dumplings.

Maria added: “I feel people need some comfort food at a time like this. Our scones and cakes are proving particularly popular.”

Everything served from the cafe is done through their window hatch meaning social distancing is observed at all times and people using the park for their daily exercise can also grab a coffee while on the go.

And the cafe, which is currently unable to run its children’s playgroups, has a range of toys and games including footballs, hoola hoops, colouring books and board games.

Maria added: “Not wanting to leave the little ones out we also offer a range of toys and games to help keep them occupied and help the parents out.”

The cafe is open between 10am-2pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

To arrange collection or delivery call (01429) 405573 see what’s available on the cafe’s Facebook page.

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