Funding allocated for upgrade of kitchen at Streamstown greenway stop
Funding of €25,000 has been allocated by the Municipal District towards the extension of the kitchen at Jack's Stop, the Streamstown café on the Old Rail Trail.
The need for financial aid to enhance the café was raised at the Athlone-Moate Municipal District during which Cllr Tom Farrell expressed his concern that the facility would close if funding was not allocated towards its enhancement.
"I am deeply concerned that the restaurant, which has proved to be a popular addition on our greenway at Streamstown, will close if we do not allocate it the necessary funding for development. The café is proving to be a popular stopping off point for many users of the greenway and it is ideally located midway between Athlone and Mullingar. I believe the café's potential to be vast. Car parking spaces have increased at the location in recent times so I am of the view that it will become even more popular going forward. However, we have to make it more viable for the proprietor and the funding allocated will make it so," Cllr Farrell said.
Concurring with Cllr Farrell, Cllr John Dolan stated that the need to make the restaurant viable was paramount for the Council.
"It would be a shame to see the café close as it has become a popular dining choice for users of the greenway. I do feel if it were to close, we would be hard pressed as a Council, to find an alternative to take the business on," Cllr Dolan added.
Cllr Aengus O'Rourke queried if there was scope to install awning to the front of the café which would add to its popularity, particularly during the tourist season.
Noting its support for the project, the council executive said that the extension of the café's kitchen was an important upgrade to the building to ensure its long-term viability.
"Jack's Stop café is a focal point of the amenity at the Old Rail Trail greenway rest stop in Streamstown and it is essential that we continue to make it viable," the council executive spokesperson said.