THE first summer season for a new landmark in Fairfield and Howley has been a success.

The former bowling hut on St Elphin's Park reopened to the public earlier this year after a £68,000 restoration project saw it transformed into the Pavilion Tea Rooms.

Through a partnership between Friends of St Elphin’s Park and Warrington Borough Council the hut was turned into a traditional English Tea Room in the heart of Fairfield and Howley.

It opened in May and is completely run by volunteers who have been manning the cafe during the week rom noon to 4pm from Sunday to Friday.

All funds raised from the venture are being reinvested in to park events and maintenance.

The project was helped off the ground by Clr Peter Carey and Clr Tony Higgins who are councillors for Fairfield and Howley who worked with the friends group.

Luckily in the volunteers from the friends group there was an experienced architect who was able to draw all the plans and project manage the building work.

Equipment in the tea room has been sponsored by the Community Development Foundation, Central Neighbourhood Board and from the friends' own fundraising efforts.

Clr Higgins said: "As ward councillor I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Friends of St Elphin's Park for their endeavours in making the new pavilion cafe into a real community asset which is already a big hit with residents and users of the park."

The park tea room is now running it's autumn opening times offering refreshements on Sunday's from noon to 4pm.

It is also the venue for new clubs including a craft group on a Tuesday evening at 7.30pm where they are making Halloween and Christmas decorations for the park.

And the park will host a Spooky Park event on October 31.