New tenant found for empty cafe at popular hall and museum

A NEW tenant has been identified to take on an empty cafe unit in the grounds of Kirkleatham Hall and Museum on the outskirts of Redcar.

In June Redcar and Cleveland Council executive director for adults and communities, Patrick Rice told a scrutiny committee meeting the local authority was seeking a provider as a “priority” as part of its culture and tourism offer.

The cafe, popular with visitors to the museum, has been vacant for several months with work on the adjoining Kirkleatham Pavilion roof also disrupting the process of finding someone to take it on. Its previous glazed roof has been replaced by a new roof with a slate appearance which has more than a hundred solar panels set into it.

The pavilion regularly hosts exhibitions, conferences and education sessions.

Kirkleatham ward councillor Mike Lockwood said: “They have been looking for a tenant and I knew that bids had come in so I am pleased to hear that they’ve found someone, as it is well used that area.

“The old tenant moved out as they needed bigger premises to expand and there’s been nobody in this year.”

A spokesman for the council said: “Following the successful refurbishment of the Kirkleatham Pavilion roof, the council has been able to undertake a marketing exercise to find a new tenant for the cafe by way of informal tender.

“The marketing exercise produced a lot of interest, and a new tenant has been identified. A new lease is currently under negotiation and is expected to be concluded shortly with the tenant taking occupation once this is completed.”

Kirkleatham is currently playing host to the ‘Knife Angel’ statue which will remain in place for the rest of August.