A CAFÉ CUT-OFF BY THE BREACH at Whitchurch could close as it relies on most of its trade from boats and visitors.
And it could be next year before the breach is repaired, Janet Friend reports.
Run it for 25 years
The owners of the café close to the Whitchurch canal breach, Chris Burntwood and his family, have run the Lockside Café that has been well established for 25 years.
But they rely on the many boats that take the short cruise up the Whitchurch Arm and the many visitors that use the towpath, but they are now unable to, as both have been closed by the breach, meaning that the café will loose an estimated 70% of its trade, we are told, making its closure very likely.
For Canal & River Trust maintain the repairs to the breach could take most of 2026 and will be an huge project, costing several million pounds.
Cannot utilise canal or towpath
With its owner thus telling that you cannot utilise the towpath and you cannot utilise the canal.
Chris told his family was upset at the prospect of being forced to close the cafe, adding:
"It's very sad for my mother, who set the business up 25 years ago, my sister who currently runs operations and obviously myself, who saw it staying in the family for another 25 years.