Town mayor Councillor John Holden and more than 50 guests gathered in the Worcestershire market town of Stourport-on-Severn for the opening of the new Windlass cafe/restaurant and basins heritage room.
The project was funded through a £500,000 grant from Advantage West Midlands to Stourport Forward Market Towns Initiative. The development builds upon the £4 million restoration and enhancement of Stourport canal basins area, funded by British Waterways and Heritage Lottery Fund.
Conversion and restoration work to the Grade II listed building block was carried out by Stourport-based company Thomas Vale Construction, who are celebrating their 140th anniversary this year, working with Quattro Design and project management support was provided by Faithful + Gould.
The cafe/restaurant has been converted from an old workshop and stable into a tranquil, friendly cafe/restaurant. Waitresses, dressed in period costume, serve refreshments and handmade cakes and scones at the Victorian-themed tearoom.
Philip Roberts, Rural Partnerships Director at Advantage West Midlands, said: “This restoration project is a fine example of funding partners working together to create new jobs directly through the café and bring new investment, confidence and visitors to a popular market town destination.
“Tourism is a business sector that looks set to buck the recession as more people opt to stay in the UK for breaks and holidays and visit locations closer to home. Stourport will enjoy the benefit of the canal basins for years to come.”
Lyn Round, the Windlass tenant owner, said: “I’m very pleased with the way that Stourport people have taken us to their hearts and supported us as a small family business. This means a lot to us – and we will continue to give them the very best service that we can now and in the future.”
Colin Hughes, Chairman of Stourport Forward, said: “These are exciting times for Stourport and we plan, with the support from our partners and the ever growing band of volunteers, to continue to put Stourport on the visitors’ map.”
Tony Harvey, West Midlands Waterways General Manager for British Waterways, said: “Following the huge restoration work at Stourport’s Canal basins, it’s really great to see that projects such as this are adding even more value to the town as a key visitor destination. This success could not have been achieved without the close partnership working which has happened throughout these exciting developments.”