Loughborough Echo

Town favourite to take on the running of new Outwoods cafe

-

A Loughborou­gh business will be the operator for the new café at the Outwoods which is being created as part of a new visitor centre.

Charnwood Borough Council can reveal that Olivia’s Coffee and Bakery will be running the café in the Outwoods Visitor Centre.

The council has invested around £130,000 in the new Outwoods Visitor Centre and Café which is hoped to open to the public later this month.

Work to convert the former ranger’s cottage started earlier this year and following a rigorous contract tendering process, the council has chosen Olivia’s Coffee and Bakery

The artisan bakery and eatery which is owned by José Diaz opened in Market Street in 2018 and will be known to many Loughborou­gh residents and visitors to the town.

Cllr Jenny Bokor, lead member for Loughborou­gh said: “We are delighted to have a local business on board and Olivia’s will be well known to many residents in the borough. “Although the visitor centre and café itself isn’t quite ready to open, most of the building work has finished, and so far, looks fantastic. It will improve the facilities for everyone who visits the Outwoods and will provide somewhere for people to enjoy refreshmen­ts after their walk.

“The Outwoods is an incredibly special place and as a council we are committed to working with the Outwoods Management Committee to improve the site while ensuring it keeps it’s character.

“I would like to wish Olivia’s all the best at the Outwoods and hope they enjoy being part of our much-loved ancient woodland.”

The major building work of the new Outwood’s Visitor Centre and Café has been completed but Olivia’s will now complete the fitting of a kitchen and café space.

José Diaz, owner of Olivia’s Coffee and Bakery said: “We are extremely excited to be running the new café at the Outwoods.

“Olivia’s has been part of Loughborou­gh for three years now and we are incredibly grateful for this opportunit­y to expand our businesses. The Outwoods is a wonderful place and I enjoy visiting regularly for walks with my family.

“I can’t wait to get started and hope visitors to the Outwoods will pop in to say hello and give our fantastic coffee and homemade cakes a try.”

Responsibi­lity of the Outwoods lies with the Outwoods Management Committee which is a separate body to the council. However, the Council effectivel­y maintains the Outwoods working alongside the committee.

Cllr Hilary Fryer, chair of the committee said: “It is great news we have found a business to operate the centre and café.

“We’re really pleased with how the project has gone so far and hope visitors to the Outwoods will also enjoy seeing it when it’s completed. I certainly cannot wait to visit and try out what Olivia’s has to offer”

The Outwoods is 110 acres of ancient woodland to the south of Loughborou­gh and is one of the oldest surviving woodland sites in Charnwood. It is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by Natural England, which means it is protected by law to conserve its wildlife and geology.

Olivia’s has been part of Loughborou­gh for three years now and we are incredibly grateful for this opportunit­y to expand our businesses

 ?? ?? Cllr Hilary Fryer, chair of the Outwoods Management Committee and José Diaz, owner of Olivia’s Coffee and Bakery at the Outwoods Cafe
Cllr Hilary Fryer, chair of the Outwoods Management Committee and José Diaz, owner of Olivia’s Coffee and Bakery at the Outwoods Cafe

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom