SAMSON residents could soon be lining up for a long-awaited local coffee, with the City of Fremantle calling for expressions of interest for a coffee vendor at Samson Park.

The opportunity is part of the City’s Unique Food Vehicle Program and follows recent upgrades to the Sir Frederick Samson Memorial Reserve, including a dedicated vendor space with access to power, new parking and improved surrounding amenities.

The push for a permanent coffee presence has been building for years, particularly since the closure of the local shops at the corner of McCombe Avenue and Petterson Avenue more than a decade ago.

Samson Precinct Group convenor Paul Winter said the issue was a constant topic among locals.

“Samson has been starved of a local coffee provider for years, and not a precinct group meeting goes by without someone bringing this up,” he said.

Mr Winter said temporary coffee vans had already demonstrated strong local demand.

“Even before the park was recently upgraded, coffee vans at this location proved a popular option for locals, dog walkers and the nearby school communities,” he said.

He hoped the new EOI would attract a vendor keen to put down roots in the area.

“Hopefully there is a coffee vendor out there who sees the potential business opportunity this presents, as well as the chance to be around great locals and our beautiful nature park,” Mr Winter said.

East Ward councillor Frank Mofflin said Samson Park played a central role in neighbourhood life and a coffee van would help bring people together.

“Samson Park is the heart of the Samson community, this is where people catch up on what’s happening around the neighbourhood and, like other communities, they would love to do that over a coffee,” he said.

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Cr Mofflin said there was clear evidence the model worked.

“A coffee van has been shown to work in the past and the residents of Samson are again keen to support a local business who is willing to become a part of this great community,” he said.

He said the return of a vendor would help activate the park and strengthen social connections.

“I look forward to seeing this space being activated again and the people of Samson having the opportunity to mingle over a regular cuppa,” Cr Mofflin said.

Mayor Ben Lawver said Samson was Fremantle’s only suburb where people couldn’t walk for a coffee, though some luckyish ones could get a brew if they negotiated busy South Street.

“So having a coffee van here would be a really great step forward; just to bring the community together and have a place where people can just walk and gather.”

Mr Lawver said there was power in the park, with an arrangement on its use to be negotiated between the council and the successful proponent.

The timing could also prove attractive for prospective operators, with Samson Park set for further transformation from 2027 under Stage 1 of the Samson Park Masterplan, including a new playground, picnic areas, improved pathways and drainage works.

Expressions of interest for the coffee vendor opportunity are open until 30 January 2026