CLOSING Poole Park’s Whitecliff Gate is “destroying” two much-loved and historic cafes, its owner has said. 

Nick Davis, who owns the Ark Cafe and The Kitchen, said both his businesses combined were down £30,000 in June year-on-year. 

And BCP Council’s controversial closure of one of the gates used by visitors to the park with their cars is to blame, Nick said. 

The businessman told the Echo trade has “dumped”, with turnover for both businesses down 24 per cent year-on year. 

SHUT: Businesses in the park say the closure is 'killing' tradeSHUT: Businesses in the park say the closure is 'killing' trade (Image: Daily Echo)

He said: “They’ve totally destroyed our business. We've been there since 1946. Recently we've invested back in about another £250k 

“They've just closed that entrance to us and now we've got no passing trade. Zero. We've got no cars driving in for a coffee because it takes so long to get out of the park on that road. It's so congested. 

“It's just dead and there's nothing coming through.” 

Nick said the park is now “empty”, adding: “The tennis court is down on its knees. The train, nobody is coming to use it, it’s empty. There's nothing going on there. 

“There's nothing coming fast, because even the old ladies that used to come in for tea and coffee won't drive in because it takes so long to get out. 

(Image: Daily Echo)

“No disabled people are coming here anymore; there used to be a minibus that would come in and drop them off, but that doesn’t come anymore. 

“In June, we were £30,000 down where we should have been, we should have been way over because prices have gone with the cost of living. We've put our prices up and it's just absolutely dead.” 

Nick also argues there is a part in his lease agreement with the council that says the gates must all remain open.

Although the consultation of 5,000 people showed the majority wanted to keep the gates open to through traffic, BCP’s Three Towns Alliance voted to close them permanently in May. 

Cabinet member for the environment Andy Hadley said: “Our teams maintain regular contact with tenants around all aspects of any lease, and we cannot discuss specific agreements in public.

“Users of vehicles can access any part of the park by entering from the Seldown Gate or East gate entrances and concerns that the closure results in traffic congestion on the roads around the park are yet to be supported by evidence.

The Kitchen in Poole ParkThe Kitchen in Poole Park (Image: Daily Echo)

“Parking within Poole Park has not been restricted in any way, and we have recently installed new signage to help reinforce the existing restrictions and ensure that genuine park users find spaces.

“The council decision was to prioritise people using the park rather than those just passing through; in a quieter and safer environment people are more likely to dwell for longer and make prolonged use of the amenities.

“The closure of the Whitecliff entrance to motor vehicles will also make a positive contribution to the health and wellbeing of the local population, and over time encourage more people to visit the park and its businesses.”