13 June 2007

I’d heard a lot of good things about Endcliffe Park café, but until Sunday, I’d never had the pleasure of eating at this Sheffield institution.

One chilli and jacket potato later, I could see the reasons for the hype. The food is good, affordable and there’s lots of choice – a rarity in this day and age. Its menu would appeal to fans of traditional caff grub, foodies and health conscious parents at the same time. It’s little wonder that it’s full of people of all ages at the weekend. Unfortunately, the café has become a victim of its own success. When Sheffield Council recently invited tenders for the café, they attracted many interested parties. Bidders included the owners of an upmarket Peak District restaurant and a company that runs cafes in Sheffield’s other parks. I understand that three bidders have been shortlisted, including the current operator. Some of the bids have put an emphasis on using organic produce – a laudable aim of course. But many locals have expressed concerns that focusing on expensive organic ingredients could push prices beyond the reach of the café’s current clientele. There is also concern that a new contractor could move away from homemade grub to offering pre-made meals.

The council has said the tendering process has to happen every three or four years, regardless of how well the current contractor is doing. To its credit, it is working closely with the Friends of Endcliffe Park, to make sure that they get the right outcome for local people.

Of course the council has to follow the rules set by central government. But I can’t help thinking this goes against the spirit of the recent local government white paper, which aims to give the community more of a say on public services. Surely if residents have a right to force a change of provider when services are failing, as they could under local government reforms, they should also have a say on providers that are successful.

The people of Sheffield will find out the fate of the café early next week. Let’s hope the decision is the right one for the whole community.