Cafe plan for park boathouse

THE opportunity to open a cafe in Alexandra Park is up for grabs for a £10,000 annual rent.

The boathouse has been advertised in the Chronicle as fully-fitted and ready for occupation, and council chiefs say they hope it will be open for business early in the New Year.

The heritage building has a stunning location in the town’s flagship park, with open views over the boating lake.

The park was given a boost with a £3.4 million National Lottery grant seven years ago, which helped to restore it to its former Victorian glory. And now steps are being taken to open the boathouse as either a cafe or bistro.

The boathouse was last summer expected to open as a cafe, run by the council’s Community Vocational Service, which helps people with disabilities find employment.

The building underwent refurbishment and signs were put up last summer saying it would open soon, but the plans ground to a halt through lack of money.

Councillor Phil Harrison, Cabinet member for adult social services and health, said: “Previously we had hoped that disabled people seeking work experience would be able to staff this venue, but unfortunately we can no longer afford the cost of the supervisory staff that would be required to oversee this.

“We hope the new arrangements will see it re-opened by early in the New Year.”

The cafe did have a tenant in previously, who left at the end of March last year when the contract ended.