Wantage volunteer-run cafe is to be made permanent

The Brews and Books café is run by volunteers of the Wantage Literary Festival from 9.45am to 1.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Due to its success in its first year, the Vale of White Horse District Council, which own and manage The Beacon and Wantage Literary Festival, has agreed the café is to stay permanently.

This news comes ahead of the inaugural Wantage Children’s Books Festival, managed by the literary festival, which will be held on Saturday, May 30.

Money raised from the café helps cover the costs of these annual events, helping them to continue attracting greater authors to the town.

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Helen Pighills, cabinet member for community health and wellbeing at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “Since its opening, the Brews and Books Café has brought a buzz, providing a welcoming space for the community to meet up, relax, and maybe read a book.

“We are looking forward to continuing this partnership and are grateful to the volunteers giving their time to support it.”

Judith Knight, director of the Wantage Children’s Literature Festival, said: “The café began as a welcoming social space where authors and festival‑goers could meet, talk, and feel at home during the annual festival.

“The response was so positive that when the opportunity arose to make it permanent, we jumped at the chance.

“It has become not only a much‑loved community hub but a vital source of funds for the festival.”