Mobile riverside cafe plans for visitors to Shrewsbury weir

Plans have been submitted to Shropshire Council to turn land currently used for the grazing of horses into a mobile takeaway on Queen Street, Castlefields. The small cafe would serve hot and cold drinks and food to fishermen, walkers and visitors.

The scheme has been put forward by local businessman Barry Archer, who runs Dorset Skips and who currently uses the land, which is close to the River Severn, for the grazing of horses and ponies.

In a design statement submitted on behalf of Mr Archer, architect Justin Shirra said: "The existing site has an established open piece of agricultural or green land which is being used for the grazing of horses and ponies and the use of housing poultry to the south west corner.

"The proposal is to use a small parcel of the field to house a mobile hot drink and snack food unit, for the people who walk park and fish and meet up by the weir.

"The proposed hours of operation are 9am to 4pm during the winter months and 8am to 7pm during the summer months. It will enhance the area and the experience for people around it."

The takeaway will be surrounded by a small concreted area with outdoor tables.

Despite the fields regularly flooding when the River Severn bursts its banks, in his report Mr Shirra states that the cafe will be fully mobile and will not interrupt the displacement of water. Instead it will be moved to higher ground should waters rise.

No objections to the plans have yet been received by Shropshire Council.