Independent trader to bring its popular tea rooms to centre – opening in historic building
AN INDEPENDENT Southsea cafe is expanding and opening a new venue at Gunwharf Quays.
Mark Hogan, who opened The Parade Tea Rooms, in Western Parade, Southsea, four years ago is busy transforming the former police station at Gunwharf Quay’s Grade II listed Vernon Gate into a welcoming cafe.
The cafe, which is currently being renovated and is due to open in May, will create 12 jobs and it will be one of the only independent businesses at the outlet centre.
Centre manager Colin Wilding said he was delighted to be bringing something new and different to Gunwharf Quays.
He said: ‘We are delighted, the site is a lovely entrance and it's got huge amounts of history and prominence. It’s a great structure, but we never really developed the two gate houses, they’ve always been there. It has taken a long time to find a local partner but we're very excited about welcoming the Parade Tea Rooms because they do a fantastic job at Southsea.
‘The fact that it’s coming to life again in a different disguise is great.’
Colin said he would also like to explore bringing more inspdenta traders into the centre, as shopping habits change and more people turn to online shopping.
He said: ‘When people come to any shopping centre whether it’s an outlet centre, or a normal shopping centre, having independent offers is attractive, but it’s not always easy to get independent offers into centres. The fact that we’ve been able to get this partnership is something we are very excited about.’