Commissioners want temporary 'mobile catering' at Cosy Nook

Expressions of interest sought by local authority

Beach-goers in Port Erin may be buying their chips and cups of tea from a mobile catering van over the summer, whilst the Cosy Nook remains closed for refurbishment.

The village commissioners are inviting expressions of interest for providers to set up shop outside the cafe on Shore Road from April to September.

Any caterers who are interested in providing the service are asked to contact the local authority by noon on Friday 8 March.

Chairman of the commissioners Nick Watterson said as they cannot access the cafe until the expiry of the lease, despite an offer to the tenant to vacate early, the board felt it worthwhile to replicate at least some of the refreshment facilities that were there for beach goers and walkers.

Earlier this year, he promised the Cosy Nook will be redeveloped to last decades rather than a short-term fix.

Official plans have yet to come forward, though an architect has been sought to draw up designs for the cafe.

Once the work is completed, an independent operator will be sought by the authority to 'put their heart and soul into it' and take on the cafe.