Takeaway food is now available from a new coastal facility at Silecroft.
The new facility, designed by Scottish architects Konishi Gaffney, is now complete and Cumberland Council will shortly be going out to the market to appoint a permanent operator to manage the café.
In the meantime, Ravenglass Handmade Ice Cream has started offering a takeaway service from the premises, selling ice-creams, light refreshments and hot and cold drinks. New externally accessed toilet facilities, which include a Changing Places room for visitors with additional needs, are also available.
It was built by Cumbrian firm Roland Hill and has bespoke shutters designed by Scottish artist and Turner Prize winner, Martin Boyce. The shutters are formed from a repeated triangular motif and are the fourth in the series of creative works to be revealed along the Cumbrian Coast.
Lead architect, Kieran Gaffney, said: “It was a delight to see the wraps taken off and the new café complete. The views of the sea are breathtaking, the artist designed shutters are strikingly beautiful and I love that the building looks like it’s always been there.”
The building has been completed with the support of Whicham Parish Council.
It said: “Whicham Parish Council and Cumberland Council are excited to announce the completion of Silecroft Beach Cafe after four years of joint collaboration.
“It is an iconic building part of Whicham Parish Community Plan and Copeland Coastal Communities Vision. With beautiful views of the sea and Black Combe it will offer a fantastic facility for locals and visitors including a Changing Places room for adults with disabilities.
“The tender for the permanent operator will be advertised soon by Cumberland Council but Ravenglass Handmade Ice Cream will provide a temporary takeaway service from the hatch. We look forward to seeing you there.”
Andrew and Samantha Bowden, of Ravenglass Handmade Ice Cream, said: “We are thrilled to be a part of this initiative and look forward to serving the community with our handmade ice creams and refreshments. This new facility is a wonderful addition to the area, and we are excited to contribute to its success.”
Other completed elements of the Coastal programme that aim to bring art, adventure and improved infrastructure to the coast are as follows.
