From Park Walks to Park Coffee: The Story Behind The Kiosk

St John’s Park has been a part of my life for a long time. I’ve been coming here regularly since my first child was born in 2016. Both of my children took their first steps on these paths, and like so many other families, the park became a real lifeline during the COVID lockdowns when we were only allowed outside once a day.

Over the years, I’d often walk past the little kiosk hatch and notice it sitting empty. As much as I loved the park, it always felt like something was missing - a good cup of coffee, a bite of lunch, or maybe just a sweet treat to enjoy after a walk or a play in the playground.

Having worked in kitchens and hospitality all my life, I’ve always had a love for food and service, and an entrepreneurial streak in me that wanted to run my own business. So, in February 2025, I decided to find out if the kiosk could be brought back to life. I contacted the council, arranged a viewing, and when I stepped inside, I was pleasantly surprised - the space was bigger than I expected, and I could instantly see its potential.

Of course, turning that potential into reality was not without its challenges. There was paperwork and lease contracts to sort out, faulty equipment to remove, and for two weeks I couldn’t even get inside the building because of a broken shutter. Just when I thought everything was coming together, I discovered the electrics were unsafe and needed a full re-wire - only two weeks before my planned opening.

Even the shutters needed attention: no matter how hard I scrubbed, the graffiti wouldn’t come off, so I painted over them - four coats later, they were finally fresh and clean.

By the end of June, after a lot of hard work (and coffee-fuelled determination), The Kiosk was ready to open. With a brand-new coffee machine and grinder, fresh fridges, and a shiny new oven ready to bake my homemade brownies and cookies, I finally felt ready to welcome the community.

The Kiosk is more than just a place to grab a coffee - it’s a little dream that’s grown out of years of park walks, family memories, and a love for good food. I’m so excited to be here, serving the community that means so much to me