An unused space in a sports pavilion on Leicester’s Victoria Park could soon be transformed into a warm and welcoming café.
Leicester City Council, which owns the building, is asking potential operators to come forward, if they’re interested in running a café from the ground floor of the 1950s pavilion.
With its prime location on one of the city’s best-used parks – next to the play area and close to the busy London Road – the pavilion café has the potential to become a popular destination for commuters, families, students and dog walkers, say the authority.
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “We’re keen to find out if there’s an operator out there who could turn this unused space into an important new community facility.
“With the footfall that Victoria Park enjoys, it’s clear that a café on the park could do extremely well.
“I hope that someone will come forward who can see the potential for the site and who has the means to create a warm and welcoming space that everyone using Victoria Park can enjoy.”
The invitation to tender will be published on Monday (13 November), with would-be operators asked to submit their expressions of interest to the council by the middle of December.
The council would work with the successful operator to upgrade the space – with new electrics, heating, toilets and an outdoor area – but the operator would be responsible for fitting out the café to their own specification.
If the council succeeds in finding a suitable tenant, the new café could open within the next 12-18 months.
More details are available at www.leicester.gov.uk/victoriaparkcafe
