Down County Museum cafe set to reopen

Down County Museum cafe set to reopen

11 September 2024

THE Down County Museum Cafe is set to reopen.

Local politicians agreed the move on Monday night, paving the way for Newry, Mourne and Down Council to begin the tendering process to appoint a cafe operator for a four year term.

Catering services were provided at the English Street complex in Downpatrick up until the Covid pandemic and with the popular museum returning to full operations, the local authority is keen to utilise the cafe.

Members of the organisation’s Economy, Regeneration and Tourism Committee were told on Monday night that the local museum remains one of the district’s important visitor destinations and that having an available cafe facility will both enhance the visitor experience, help attract new visitors and encourage them to stay longer.

Council officials are keen to appoint a cafe operator with a proven track record of high quality service provision in a catering business of similar scale, scope and complexity.

Councillors were told the tendering process will be “rigorous” with the proposed lease for an initial two years, with an option to extend this period by two additional 12-month periods.

The contract will also be reviewed annually.

Committee members were told visitors expect high quality cafe services as part of the museum service offering.

In addition, they heard the cafe provision previously in place was successful with positive customer feedback, with the attraction generating additional footfall.

The cafe tender will also generate annual rental income, the basis of which will be determined by the tender process guided by an independent valuation.