The Beacon, managed by Vale of White Horse District Council, has been without a café since 2020. Seeking a viable solution, the council has teamed up with Wantage Literary Festival to reignite the refreshment area.
Last autumn, festival volunteers set up a temporary café during their month of events at The Beacon, and its success has inspired the current collaboration. The plan is to introduce the café on a pilot basis until the end of October.
The new Brews and Books Café will officially open its doors on April 25, operating from Monday to Friday, 9:45 am to 1 pm. Open to all, patrons are welcome to enjoy the café regardless of attending shows or classes at The Beacon.
Phil Barker, head of service for communities at Vale of White Horse District Council, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “I’m really pleased we’ve been able to partner with Wantage Literary Festival to provide this much-missed coffee area at The Beacon. We’re grateful for their volunteers’ support and look forward to our continued partnership.”
Judith Knight, director of Wantage Literary Festival, added, “The café, originally a small addition to the festival, now brings joy to the people of Wantage. This year, we aim to offer more opportunities for community bonding through book swaps, book clubs, and festival events. Our volunteers play a crucial role in this, as even a few hours of their time helps unite the community.”
The money raised from the café will aid the festival in covering the costs of its annual event.
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