Hafod Eryri on the summit of Snowdon. Photo: Andrew Woodvine ![[CC-2.0]](/lib/img/layout/cc-attr.gif)
Snowdon’s new summit cafe is plagued by litter and long queues, according to a campaign group.
The Snowdonia Society is asking for walkers’ view on Hafod Eryri, the £8.3m replacement for the concrete cafe dubbed by Prince Charles the country’s ‘highest slum’. The new building was opened in June this year by Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan, more than a year after its planned opening date.
But, according to the society, there are concerns about service at the building, which is owned by the Snowdonia National Park Authority and leased to the Snowdon Mountain Railway.
The Snowdonia Society, which campaigns to protect the area, supported the replacement of the Sir Clough Williams-Ellis building, but says the experience of many visitors is not up to scratch.
The society said: “With hundreds of thousands of people coming from all over the world to visit the highest point of our nation, it’s important that they enjoy the experience and take away a good impression of Wales and the national park. Hafod Eryri ought to be a showcase for the best of local produce.
“We do know that visitors are telling us that they like the building but many are dissatisfied with the day to day operation. Issues raised include inadequate staffing leading to long queues, poor cleanliness and litter and a failure to showcase local produce in the catering offer.”
The Snowdonia Society is now canvassing visitors’ experiences of their visits to the mountain top centre, which stands just below the 1,085m (3,560ft) summit.
A spokeswoman for the Snowdonia National Park Authority said the issue was a matter for the Snowdon Mountain Railway company. She said: “The society raised the matter at the authority meeting today.
“However, we are aware of some complaints and will be discussing them in due course.”
andyr
30 September 2009Having climbed Snowden some seven times and only once when the (old) cafe was open, I may not comment on how it is now. The once it was open, it was a hot day in July and I agree it was nice to replenish liquid supplies at the top. I suppose having one mountain with a cafe at the top means that all the other peaks are free from tourists and their attendant litter. The solution is to employ litter wardens, CCTV and the other things one tries to escape from in the hills and mountains of our country.
Winter Wolf
01 October 2009I walked to the top of Snowden also in July this year in thick cloud. I could not see the cafe at the top, even though I knew it was close, when an awful smell hit me, I asked my husband had he farted, and he was appalled! It was the smell from the drains, which made sitting outside on the peak enjoying a flask of tea not the enjoyable experience I expected. At least it did not stink indoors!
Fred
06 September 2011Having climbed Snowdon 3 times in 3 days in June, the cafe was a very welcome slum. To be sitting inside and drinking the best tasting coffee ever, (it probably wasn't, but it tasted good at the time) was a luxury after hours of climbing through cloud and driving winds. Yes, it was packed with people, yes it wasn't very clean, but I'd rather it was there than not.