SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS ON VICTORIA PARK CAFÉ REDEVELOPMENT AS INCLUSIVE NEW FACILITIES TAKE SHAPE
Newbury Town Council is pleased to share an update on the redevelopment of the Victoria Park Café, a major investment in the future of one of the town’s most loved community spaces. Building on the original vision set out in earlier announcements, the project has now reached a number of key milestones, bringing the new café building and its associated facilities closer to completion.
The redevelopment aims to create a modern, welcoming, and fully inclusive community asset that enhances the experience of all park users—including families, residents, runners, walkers, people with disabilities, and visitors to Newbury.
A Fully Accessible and Inclusive Café for All
A key feature of the redevelopment is the installation of a Changing Places facility, the first of its kind within Victoria Park. This ensures that people with profound and multiple disabilities, wheelchair users, and those with complex care needs have access to a safe, dignified, and fully accessible toilet and changing space.
To support full accessibility throughout the site, the café has been designed to include:
- step-free access
- wider doorways
- accessible routes between the café, play area, and wider park
- ease of movement throughout indoor and outdoor spaces
This work reflects Newbury Town Council’s commitment to making Victoria Park, and the town centre, welcoming and inclusive for all.
Cllr Gary Norman, Leader of the Council, commented on the project, saying, “The new café and Changing Places facility represent a major step forward in making Victoria Park a place that truly works for everyone. We are delighted to be delivering this important facility with support from a grant awarded through the National Lottery Awards for All programme. This redevelopment is about inclusivity, community, and creating a high-quality space that the whole town can be proud of. We are excited by the progress so far and look forward to welcoming the public into this fantastic new facility.”
New Canopy Offering Covered Outdoor Seating
A newly added canopy structure will provide sheltered outdoor seating, enabling visitors to enjoy the café and the park in all seasons. The canopy offers:
- protection from rain and sun
- a comfortable space for outdoor dining and socialising
- improved year-round usability
- a more welcoming environment for families and groups
Birch Cladding to Enhance the Café and Air Raid Shelter
Both the new café building and the adjacent historic air raid shelter are being refurbished with high-quality birch cladding. This will:
- deliver a warm, natural, and modern look
- blend the buildings more harmoniously with the park landscape
- improve visual consistency between the café and the shelter
- enhance the overall appearance of this area of Victoria Park
Investment and Financial Stewardship
Due to market conditions, inflationary pressures, and necessary design adjustments, Newbury Town Council has approved the reallocation of Ear Marked Reserves (EMRs) to ensure the café can be completed to the high standard required. This prudent use of savings allows the Council to protect key elements of the design such as accessibility improvements and the Changing Places facility, without compromising the scope or quality of the project.
Enhancing the Wider Park Experience
The café redevelopment is part of the Council’s wider vision to make Victoria Park a vibrant community hub. The new café will sit alongside the park’s inclusive play areas, Splash Park, tennis courts, bandstand and community events, offering a welcoming space that brings people together and supports leisure, wellbeing, and connection for everyone.
A Project Moving Forward
Construction continues to progress well, with the next stages focusing on interior fit-out, external landscaping, and final installation of accessibility features. Further updates will be provided as the project moves toward completion.
Contact:
Cllr Gary Norman, Leader of the Council, gary.norman@newbury.gov.uk
Cllr Roger Hunneman, Chair NTC Victoria Park Sub-Committee roger.hunneman@newbury.gov.uk
Cllr Vaughan Miller, Chair NTC Community Services Committee Vaughan.Miller@newbury.gov.uk
Toby Miles-Mallowan , CEO, Newbury Town Council, toby.miles-mallowan@newbury.gov.uk 01635 35486