Newark Town Council approve plans to buy outdoor bar for use at community events

Residents’ town-centre beach trip could soon be complemented with an outdoor bar.

Newark Town Council has agreed plans to spend around £3,500 on an outdoor bar and associated furniture and electrical installation, to be used at events such as the Newark-on-Sea beach, Newark Festival, and the Christmas market.

Documents said it would allow the council to “capitalise on residents and shoppers joining us for our events” and that it would benefit from it’s central location.

Councillors raised some concern that by having its own bar, the council would be affecting other hospitality venues in the town — but were told it would ‘complement’ other venues.

Kirsty Edwards, the council’s hospitality and event sales manager, explained the bar would have more of a ‘novelty’ concept, encouraging people to buy a drink and pose for photographs to share on social media, while enjoying the variety of events held in the town, before moving on to other venues.

She added that it could also attract corporate bookings, who could use it for Christmas parties or even beach parties at the urban beach.

The plans were approved by councillors.