Dead centre of town: City looks to bring new life to cemetery cafe
Fancy a thriller of a business opportunity? The City of London Cemetery and Crematorium is looking for a new proprietor to refurbish and operate its on-site café for visitors and mourners.
With the current five-year lease coming to an end, the City of London Cooperation is accepting new proposals for the Gatehouse Cafe at the entrance of the cemetery. The new lease and operation of the Gatehouse cafe will run from 11 October 2021 to 31 January 2027.
The cemetery, located in the London Borough of Newham, is one of the largest in Europe. Hosting nearly a million visitors and mourners throughout the year, the cemetery includes the graves of famous figures such as Sir Robert Hooke, Bobby Moore and two of the Jack the Ripper victims.
A café has been operating on the site for almost 20 years.
Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Port Heath and Environmental Services Committee, Keith Bottomley, said: “The City Corporation wants to provide the absolute best service possible at this site and look forward to seeing imaginative proposals.”
Completed bids must be returned by 11am on Monday 9 August 2021.