Issue - meetings

The Workshop Building

Mr Mark Evison (Park Manager, Alexandra Palace) introduced the tabled report which advised the Advisory Committee of a Planning Application for the Workshop Building in the Grove.  The proposed use for the building was a children’s soft play centre with ancillary café.

The Advisory Committee expressed the concerns of local residents who felt that the new soft play centre in the Workshop Building might negatively affect the business of the Grove Café and questioned whether refreshment sales were really necessary for a children’s play area. Mr Evison (Alexandra Park Manager) stated that the soft play centre would not be allowed to sell refreshments for take away. 

Mr Gill (Acting General Manager, Alexandra Palace) explained that, whilst it was not within the Advisory Committee’s remit to discuss the commercial aspects of the proposal, any commercial issues arising regarding the two businesses would be dealt with appropriately by Palace staff .

There was a general consensus was that the sale of refreshments was necessary for the soft play centre and that allowing adults into the centre only if they were with children was enforceable.   

RESOLVED

That the Alexandra Palace and Park Board be asked to note:

i.          That the business described itself as an “indoor adventure and soft play area with small café” when in fact it appeared to be a small indoor play area with café.

ii.         The Committee’s concerns that the boundaries for the site were unclear and concerns about how the play area would be extended to the outside area at a later stage.  In response Mr Evison explained that the lease included responsibility for existing fencing and boundaries.

iii.        The Chair also asked that the Board consider whether other tenants i.e. the long established businesses of the Park have been consulted on the application.