Public Meeting Over Walpole Park Cafe

Last attempt to try and keep cafe in hands of former owners

The former owners of Walpole Park's cafe who lost their lease to operate are holding a public meeting this evening ( Thursday 8th Feb) to try and get answers from the trustees of Pitzhanger Manor Gallery and Ealing Council

Alan Dillon and his partner Sarah Lennon had provided a service in the park for nearly ten years, first as Spencer's which has been described as an ' Ealing institution' and now in The Rickyard.

Last year The Pitzhanger Manor Gallery Trust ( PMGT) who have taken over the cafe rejected their tender to continue running the cafe saying :

'' ''We understand Alan Dillon’s disappointment that he was not successful in this competitive tender process, but the Trust followed carefully a publicised tender process.
The Trust must do what it believes to be in the best interests of the wider Ealing community and of the success of the Manor & Gallery when they reopen for the benefit of the whole community.''

More than 7,000 people signed a petition to keep Mr Dillon running the cafe and he has also had the cross party backing of MPs with Rupa Huq, Vince Cable and Zac Goldsmith all lending their support.

Mr Dillon is holding a meeting and has has invited the trustees and representatives from the council to attend and hopes they will change their mind.

He says: '' I suppose I want answers to the questions that I have already asked both privately & publicly ie what was my scoring matrix when eliminating me from the tendering process. Why should I handover a ready made business to the highest bidder... it all seems so unfair and unnecessary.''

An Ealing council spokesperson told us:

'' Mr Dillion’s original lease ended on 31 January 2018. To ensure continuity in service for users of the park, he was offered, and has accepted, a three month extension to 30 April 2018. The extension will allow for provision of current staff to move to the new providers, ensuring no break in service. ‘The tender process is reaching its conclusion and we would expect an announcement from the Trust of the new provider in March.
''Currently there is no intention for any council staff to attend the meeting.’'

The meeting will take place at The Rickyard - behind the cafe on Thursday 8th February 6pm - 8pm) all are welcome.

6th February 2018