New tea room operator of Highcliffe Castle in Dorset, Aramark UK has hosted an event today at the historic site with Christchurch Borough Council.
Volunteers had the opportunity to choose a new name of the tea rooms - The Castle Kitchen - and to meet the Aramark team and to find out more about their plans for investment in the tea rooms and sample some of the new menu choices.
Aramark UK, which is committed to supporting local businesses, has already been talking to local suppliers including Country Fare (members of the New Forest Marque), which is a local provenance foodservice provider, and Ballantine's, based in Highcliffe, to see how they can be involved in The Castle Kitchen.
During the refurbishment of the tea rooms a vintage mobile van will be on site selling refreshments to ensure food and drink is still available to visitors. Brand new outdoor seating will also be provided whilst the tea rooms are closed.
Cllr David Flagg, Acting Leader of the Council, Christchurch Borough Council, said, 'We are pleased to be working with the new operator of the tea rooms at Highcliffe Castle, Aramark UK. The vision they have for the future of the tea room is very exciting and we hope that visitors will enjoy the new offer once the refurbishment is complete.
'During the works we hope that disruption will be kept to a minimum with the new mobile van which will offer a selection of refreshments. I would also like to thanks our volunteers for all their hard work and for choosing the new name, The Castle Kitchen which marks a new start for the catering offer at the castle.'
The tea rooms will close for refurbishment on the 31 March and are expected to reopen within two months. During the refurbishment, a vintage mobile van will be on site serving refreshments.
Aramark has a broad portfolio of managing, investing and nurturing other heritage sites such as Malahide Castle, Bletchley Park, the Senate House of the UL to mention a few.
