Work began yesterday on a new city café this month as part of the Council’s ongoing Roman Baths Development programme.
The Council is transforming its property at 11/12 Abbey Church Yard and 17/18 Cheap Street into a prestige café, which will be named The Roman Baths Kitchen. Once works are completed the facility will create a character ground floor daytime cafeteria supplemented by a first floor restaurant for evening dining.
The development is being carried out in response to the requests of visitors to the world famous Roman Baths who said that, in addition to the current provision, they would like to see a café that is less formal and more family-friendly than the Pump Room restaurant. The theme of the café and restaurant will be suitably referenced to the character of the Roman Baths, and it will be operated by Searcy’s Restaurants Limited, who manage the catering in the Pump Room under contract to the Council.
Councillor Cherry Beath (Lib-Dem, Combe Down), Cabinet Member for sustainable Development, said: “This is an exciting phase for Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Roman Baths Development which will improve the facilities available for people coming to the city’s major visitor attraction. The Roman Baths Kitchen will help the Council with its aspiration to improve the public realm and enhance the tourism offer of the city – offering sustainable growth in the long-term economic future.”
Work was scheduled to commence in the New Year period in order to avoid disruption before Christmas, in response to requests from neighbouring residents. Letters have been sent out to assure residents that disruption will be kept to a minimum and that the premises will be inspected on a daily basis to ensure the exterior remains presentable. The work is estimated to be completed by May, in anticipation for the café to open in the summer.
