Let’s Rock takeover of Earlham Park ‘blocking’ local cafe from business

Ingrid Henry has co-owned Earlham Park Cafe, located in The Gardens of the park, with her husband Akan for the last 17 years.

But the arrival of popular 80s music festival Let’s Rock has the couple worried about the fortnight it is in town – setting up and breaking down.

Ingrid said she feels the festival will be blocking her out of business (Image: Ingrid Henry)

Ingrid, 53, said: “The last few years we’ve been included in the plans and able to trade during the event.

“But this year it’s changed and has blocked us out of view.

“There’s going to be a steel wall, or mesh fence, put up right up to our forecourt.

The plans originally indicated the boundary would be even closer to the Earlham Café – indicated by the dotted black line – before being moved up (Image: Ingrid Henry)

“It’s just not on so I contacted the council, who said we could still open – but no one will be able to see us.

“This is our busiest time of year and the money we make keeps us going through the winter.

“They’re not closing the business down but it’s left me in such an obscure area no one will know I’m even open.”

The touring festival returns to Earlham Park in Norwich on Saturday, August 19 from 11am until 10.30pm.

Ingrid Henry, 53, with her daughter Twinkle, aged 10 outside the Earlham Park Café (Image: Ingrid Henry)

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Earlham Park Cafe is open from 9.30am until 4.30pm.

Let’s Rock organisers, UK Live, said: “Let’s Rock is about bringing great music and an amazing event to Norwich and we want to be sure that the wider community are involved as much as possible. 

“We welcome feedback as that enables us to improve year on year. 

“Our staging locations are controlled by many factors and are agreed alongside the local council. 

Let’s Rock organisers said we will do our best to keep the Earlham Park Café as updated as possible (Image: Let’s Rock)

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“But for future events we will do our best to keep Earlham Park Cafe as updated as possible.”

Ingrid added: “To be honest, I’d rather they didn’t come.

“I want people to have fun, but when they take over the whole park in front of us and block us out of view, it’s just not on.”