Motion to amend bye-laws for coffee van at Mayo lake

THE council is being asked to amend casual trading bye-laws to allow for a coffee van at Lough Lannagh.

There was very positive feedback and learnings from the provision of a coffee van at the location for a Castlebar Triathlon Club event in September.

Councillor Ger Deere has tabled a motion calling on the council to amend the casual trading bye-laws to allow for the provision of such facilities on a regular basis, and his motion was supported by his elected colleagues.

Public reaction was that the facility was 'brilliant', he told a municipal meeting. “It is an attraction and an added experience at Lough Lannagh.

“The majority of the public are behind it.”

He suggested a tender system, for one or two operators at the location.

There was support across the chamber, with Councillor Michael Kilcoyne suggesting they amend the bye-laws and advertise it.

Councillor Deere has outlined some of the some of the positive feedback and learnings gathered from the public and September's vendor, whose operation was solar powered.

It created a focal point for people which allowed them a location to gather and socialise in an outdoor environment.

Knowing that there was a coffee stand at Lough Lannagh, he said, would encourage others to engage in the walk around the lake, which supports good health and wellbeing objectives.

The coffee unit provided full-time supervision in the car park, which some of the public, particularly the older users of the park, noted and welcomed. One older lady said she felt safer knowing that someone knew she had gone for a walk.

Dog walkers were able to get a coffee/tea - normally they aren’t able to go into the shops.

There was a sense that very few people who used the park on the day would have gone into town to get a coffee/tea, with limited impact on coffee shops in town. However, if people knew the facility was on site on a regular basis, there may be more people opting to go for a walk and have their coffee at Lough Lannagh.

Having this facility would also highlight the amenity and facilities at Lough Lannagh and possibly attract additional visitors to the town.