Could you run the new cafe at Abney Park Cemetery?
Local businesses are being invited to apply to run a new cafe and community space at Abney Park Cemetery, built as part of the park’s £5m restoration project.
With space for up to 49 covers inside and 28 covers outside, the 200m2 cafe will help encourage more people into the park - one of London’s ‘magnificent seven’ cemeteries.
Housed in a simple and attractive single-storey building, it is visible to prospective customers on Stoke Newington High Street and is likely to attract passers-by as well as visitors to the park.
The prospective operator will also manage and let a new community space, and could help supply food to events hosted in the refurbished Chapel in the centre of the park.
The Council is looking for operators that have experience in running a food and drinks business and who know what it takes to run a great community venue.
We’ve got lots of fantastic food and drinks spots in our parks - including new kiosks in Clissold Park and Haggerston Park.
The new cafe is purpose-built and ready for an operator to come and get to work. I’m really excited about seeing any plans the prospective operators have and to welcoming more people to the beautiful surroundings in Abney Park.
To learn more about the opportunity, which will close on 6 October 2023, visit hackney.gov.uk/abney-park.
Restoration work at Abney Park started in October 2021, aimed at improving facilities, upgrading buildings and protecting the ecology of the site. The £5m project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, The National Lottery Community Fund and Hackney Council. As well as the new café and work spaces at its main entrance, the restoration will bring Abney Park’s historic chapel back into use.
More information about the cafe space
The cafe is a simple and attractive single storey building adjoining the historic North Lodge, with large windows and significant outside space. Located close to the park’s main entrance, it is visible from the high street and is intended to provide a friendly and welcoming experience of entering the park. It has space for up to 49 covers inside. In addition there is space for 28 covers outside, and plenty of benches around the park for take-away consumption. It is likely to attract passers-by as well as park users.
The community space adjoins the cafe. It is a single storey building that is intended to be rented out to commercial organisations and community groups for use as a classroom, events space, meeting room, workshop space or exercise class space. It includes a kitchenette and accessible toilet and a terrace with sliding doors to reach it. The operator will be responsible for renting this space out. The space adds significant value to the offer at Abney Park and is expected to be run to encourage use by a wide range of communities and demographics. The operator may also use it for their own activity, for example running classes or preparing catering for events at the chapel.