MINEHEAD Town Council has said it is working hard to secure a future for a cafe in Blenheim Gardens.

Since the closure of the café in Blenheim Gardens in November last year Minehead Town Council has been expressing its concerns about the future of this much loved ‘jewel in the crown’ of Minehead to the owners, Somerset West and Taunton Council.

A spokesman for Minehead Town Council said:”MTC has made a number of suggestions, but it has been made clear that Somerset West and Taunton Council is not prepared to relinquish ownership of the gardens.

“During meetings with representatives, it has been made clear by the newly formed district council that the café (a temporary structure based around the original bandstand in the gardens) is no longer fit for purpose.”

Covenants on the land prohibit the erection of a permanent building but Minehead Town Council has proposed having a ‘wooden chalet-style structure’ which the district council has agreed to consider.

Such a structure could include both inside and outside space for eating as well as public toilets, and would not be classed as a permanent structure.

Mayor of Minehead Cllr Sandra Slade said: “We have discussed a number of alternative proposals, including the provision of a wooden construction café or, even, town council maybe managing the gardens on behalf of district council.

“Although no decisions have yet been made, we are encouraged by the response some of our suggestions have received.

READ MORE: Minehead cafe closes after 50 years in Blenheim Gardens 

“We know how much the café closure affected residents and the town and we want to assure them that we are doing our utmost to achieve some workable solution that will please the residents.

“However, these things do move slowly, and we ask for patience as we endeavour to move matters forward.”

A SWAT spokesman said: “We are looking at the costs of a number of suggested options and currently carrying out a survey to determine the desire for refreshments to be provided.”