Chance to take over running of secret park cafe

THIS is your chance to take over a café in the heart of one of Cardiff’s best-loved parks.

The Secret Garden Cafe in Bute Park is up for rent for around £20,000 a year in a five-year lease.

The café sits within a courtyard next to the education centre and has outdoor seating on a terrace opposite the Stuttgart Garden.

A Cardiff council spokesman said: “The Secret Garden Café enjoys a prime location at the heart of Bute Park and with over three million visitors flocking to the park each year this is a unique business opportunity.”

The document by the Cardiff council estates department states that the proposed lease is for a term of five years.

The site may be used as a café providing “light refreshments” only, with the exception that it will provide catering for the adjoining conference room in the education centre through bookings.

The exact cost of renting the space will be “set by offer” according to the council.

They add that the guide is the rent should rise over the first and second years reaching a fixed amount of £22,000 per year by the third year of the lease.

The unique café has an enclosed kitchen building, public toilets, a sheltered courtyard with space for around 18 covers and an outside terrace with space for at least another 42 covers.

The new tenant will be responsible for managing the public toilets in the courtyard and education centre, with the landlord reimbursing 50% of some of the costs.

The council said that anyone interested in taking over the café when the current lease expires should contact the council estates department for more information.

Any submissions need to include financial credentials and a “business vision” up to 500 words long.

Offers on the lease should be received no later than noon on Monday, October 23.