Following further structural surveys and works to make the building safe, the Rose Garden Cafe at Graves Park is all set for a festive reopening, on a takeaway basis from Thursday 22 December.
Charity Trustee Sub-Committee consulted on long-term options for Rose Garden Café
The Charity Trustee Sub-Committee heard the proposed long-term options for the Rose Garden Café building in Graves Park yesterday.
The building was closed on July 28 due to safety reasons and since then discussions about the future of the building have continued.
A decision on the future of the building is still yet to be made and a final list of options is to be drawn up once all the necessary surveys have taken place. A city-wide consultation exercise will take place to determine the options for the future.
The potential options outlined to the committee yesterday were:
- Do nothing – ensure members of the public are kept safely away from the building through secure fencing but make no repairs to the building
- Structural stabilisation of the existing building (and refurbishment)
- Demolition of the existing building and provision of a modular facility in its place
- Demolition of the existing building and provision of a traditional build facility in its place
- Demolition of the existing building and site clearance only
The committee was also informed that, while the building remains closed to the public, plans for propping it continue. This propping exercise will make it safe to enter the building to carry out surveys.
The Council is speaking with the café operator BrewKitchen about the feasibility of operating the café with the propping place.
Given the extent of the survey work that is required it is suggested that café operations could not recommence before the beginning of December.
Cllr Bryan Lodge, Chair of Charity Trustee Sub-Committee, said: “While it is unfortunate that the Rose Garden Café remains closed, we are taking important steps towards stabilising the structure of the building as well as deciding its future options. We’re keen to continue working closely with the café operator, the Friends of Graves Park, Save Rose Garden Café campaign group, as well as other local people invested in the future of the Rose Garden Café. As the largest park in the city, we know how important this facility is for visitors and what it means to the local community.”
