Popular loch cafe to change hands
Chain wins tender from council
The cafe at James Hamilton Heritage Park is set to change hands after the business was put out to tender.
Gracie’s on the Loch has been a popular cafe for a number of years but the business has went into liquidation.
South Lanarkshire Council put the facility out to tender and it is understood the cafe will now be run by English-based Churchill Catering who provide catering services for business and industry, the leisure sector, public sector and other public bodies, such as police forces across the UK.
The News understands the new operator is looking to retain existing staff and secure employment where possible as well as investing in the building itself.
However, regular customers at Gracie’s say they will be sad to see the business change hands.
One customer told the News: “It is a real shame to see Gracie’s go.
“I went there all the time with my friends and it is really a lovely wee cafe.
“The current owner worked aso hard and offered lovely home baking and sourced a lot of her produce locally.
“It will be a real loss and a big national company taking over just won’t be the same.
“A lot of local youngsters also work there and I hope they get kept on by the new owners.
“All the staff are so friendly and welcoming it’s always a joy to be there.
The News contacted Churchill Catering who said they were not yet commenting on plans for the cafe.
No timescale has been given for the change over.