Green light given to Minchella’s to open a new refreshment kiosk in South Marine Park
An iconic South Shields brand is bringing a new kiosk to a seafront park.
A new refreshment kiosk linked with iconic South Shields organisation is set to open in South Marine Park after plans were given the green light.
South Marine Park is recognised for its special historic interest and is home to a boating lake, café, play areas, event spaces and the miniature steam railway.
The plans attracted two objections from members of the public, who raised concerns about the scale and location of the development and its potential impact on the “continued safe operation of the miniature railway”.
However, South Tyneside Council planners approved the application on October 16, 2026.
A new kiosk in South Marine Park
The new kiosk will be built on the site of a former park tender pitch, which applicants said had been “selected to minimise disruption to park users and reduce operational impacts”.
It is understood the development will be in addition to Toney Minchella’s already existing café in the park, with materials used for the kiosk matching those of the current building.
A design and access statement said deliveries would be restricted to early morning hours to minimise disruption, while roller shutters would provide “robust protection” against vandalism.
A council report said the development would create one full-time job and a number of part-time positions.
It added that the kiosk would not affect the “vitality or viability of nearby designated centres” or “established shopping patterns”.
‘Enhance the tourism offer’
Council planners said the development would “enhance the tourism offer” in the area and, when viewed alongside existing park facilities, would not appear as “a prominent or incongruous feature within the site”.
The kiosk will also be positioned to maintain a clear separation from the railway infrastructure and operational area.
Officers concluded that, given its location, scale and relationship to the existing fence boundary, the proposal “would not intrude upon, obstruct or otherwise interfere with the operation, maintenance or enjoyment of the miniature railway”.
For more information, visit South Tyneside Council’s planning portal and search for reference 260261.
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