For those of you that are new to the area, when Hemsworth Water Park first opened, back in the 1980’s it had a Public House on site named the “Windsurfer”.
The Windsurfer was your typical “pub” serving some food alongside alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Although, Hemsworth Town Council runs “services” for the benefit of the parish, these sometimes do inevitably run at a loss. It is then up to the Councillors to decide whether or not to keep the service open in its current form or look to provide a different (better) service for the local area.
Unfortunately, The Windsurfer ran at a significant loss for many years. Various things were tired to increase the number of people accessing the facility, but ultimately times change and people demand different things.
Using some of the proceeds for the sale of the former Sports Complex on Kirkby Road in Hemsworth to Saul Construction Limited, Hemsworth Town Council made the decision to convert The Windsurfer into “The Lakeside” in 2011/2012.
This was a small café offering both sit-down and takeaway food and drinks alongside a small soft play area. Opening hours were reduced from the previous all-day Public House which significantly reduced outgoings.
Visitors to the park welcomed the new facility, as the ratings and reviews on independent websites such as TripAdvisor demonstrated.
Nevertheless…
One of the promises the Independent Candidates made on their manifesto in 2019 was:
“Rejuvenate YOUR Kinsley Water Park, run down for years, up date install a Licensed Bar available for all to celebrate-food vouchers for parking Summer pop Concerts Longer better opening hours to turn around £120,000 a year deficit to a profit. Restock the fishing ponds.”
Ferret has to assume that no business case or feasibility study had been carried out for this change when Independent Hemsworth Town Council, immediately instructed the Town Clerk – Mr Alan Draper, to make the necessary changes at The Lakeside to return it to a Licensed Premises when they were elected in 2019, at “Whatever the cost”.
So, The Lakeside became The Lakeside Café Bar.
A PROFIT – Fantastic news thought Ferret, however…
Through a Freedom of Information request the following question was asked:
What was the income and expenditure for just the lakeside cafe/bar (not including the rest of the waterpark)?
The reply received stated:
“The total income was £199,406 for the period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020”
and
“The total expenditure was £420,900, of which £78,351 was spent on buying equipment for the period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020”
Ferret will let you do the Maths.