PEOPLE will once more be able to settle down for a cup of tea or coffee while in the park.The road to getting the restaurant open again started in February with the setting up of a project group to work on a proposal.

By Nick Richards

, people will once more be able to settle down for a cup of tea or coffee while in the park.

The road to getting the restaurant open again started in February with the setting up of a project group to work on a proposal. This proposal was finally agreed last month and the green light was given for the revamped shop to reopen.

Sue Ryder Care's Jo Marshall said: "The home has been without a permanent manager for the last year and the staff have done an excellent job by keeping it going and making sure that excellent standards are maintained.

"Care standards do come first, but we felt that both patients and members of the public would benefit from the reopening of the restaurant."

The task of running the restaurant will go to catering company Edwards and Blake, who are based at East Dereham, Norfolk and have experience of running a similar venture at Langham Glass, also in Norfolk.

Jo who is Care Centre Manager added: "Part of the charm of the original building was that it was part of an old stables and we will use this again. Lots of thought has gone into the type of image we want to have and, through questionnaires, asking residents and their relatives, we have a good feel of what people are expecting.

"We'll also have the facilities to sell merchandise and items that residents have made. It's a real opportunity to raise the profile of the charity."

A number of the restaurant's patrons, many of whom are elderly or disabled, were horrified to hear of the closure of the restaurant and launched a protest after it was shut down.

n The new restaurant will be open to the public from July 9. Normal opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday between 10am-5pm.