INTEREST in rebuilding Malvern’s former Beacon Cafe on the hills has reignited again after an online petition was recently launched.
But any realistic hope of rebuilding the former cafe, which was destroyed in the late 1980s by fire, has been dismissed after the petition was rejected because it had nothing to do with parliamentary proceedings.
The petition was launched on Saturday, July 30 with the title ‘Rebuild the Beacon Cafe on the Malvern Hills’. It is not clear who launched the petition but discussions over the cafe were held on social media at the end of last month which could have triggered a petition to be launched.
Stating the main reasons for having a cafe, the petition said that a part of Malvern’s history had been lost since it was destroyed.
It reads: “The cafe had the best views of the Malverns and surrounding areas and was the only rest stop with facilities on the upper reaches of the hills on the beacon path.
“It used to be a gathering place once a year for the lighting of the beacons a tradition that has been lost in recent times.
“After the fire everyone expected the cafe to be rebuilt sadly this was not the case and part of Malvern’s history was lost. This (is) something that needs to be restored not just for Malvernians but visitors to the area.”
But days later the petition was rejected.
A response to the petition reads: “Why was the petition rejected? It’s about something that the UK Government or Parliament is not responsible for.
“You could raise your issue with a local councillor, who represents you. You can use this page to find out who your local councillors are, and how to contact them: https://www.gov.uk/find-your-local-councillors.
“We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.”
The Observer contacted Malvern Hills Conservators, who are the responsible authority for the iconic hills, and they said it would be impossible for the cafe to be rebuilt.
Beck Baker, press officer for the Conservators, said: “Under our laws it is not posssible to build on the hills so there would not be any chance of rebuilding the cafe.”
Would you like to see a cafe back on the Malvern Hills? Email your thoughts to [email protected].
