Regular visitors to West Ham Park will know that summer can’t be far off when the café, Snack Shack, opens on April 16.

And it’s going to be a busy season in the park for Angela Caroo and Marilyn Matthews, the two local women who have been running the much-loved outdoor venue for the last four years.

As well as the old favourites, there will be a lot more on the menu this summer, including afternoon tea in the park with a vegan and non vegan menu, mother and toddler breakfasts and special occasion events, initially of up to six people under Covid restrictions. Pre-Covid, the café attracted much bigger groups, including 40 wedding guests.

People who use the park regularly know Snack Shack is every bit a community hub, which makes it a labour of love for Angela and Marilyn who came up with the idea of running the café while making sandwiches together at a charity run.

“We both said how much we would love to have our own café,” said Angela, “and then we saw that the City of London were advertising this concession.”

Both women have other careers, but they look forward to summer in the park where they feel at the heart of the community.

“People talk to us,” said Marilyn. “And that’s great, it’s good to feel that we can bring people together in such lovely surroundings.”

Snack Shack will be open Thursdays to Sundays, from 11am-6pm. For information about booking afternoon tea and other events, call 07946 369885.

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