New tenants at cafe that closed after rent dispute

Ramblers Coffee Shop at Shipley Country Park closed in March

A new cafe is set to open at a Derbyshire country park after the previous business closed over a rent dispute.

The operators of Ramblers Coffee Shop at Shipley Country Park near Heanor closed their doors in March, saying the county council had proposed a rent increase of 66% - later reduced to 33%.

Derbyshire-based catering business Blueberry is to start refurbishment works at the cafe space next to the main car park, the authority said, with a view to opening the Bluebell Café in March.

The county council previously said it felt the terms it had offered were reasonable based on the cafe's prime position.

Small family business

The county council said Blueberry brought "a wealth of experience of running cafes in countryside locations" elsewhere in Derbyshire - in Castleton, Millers Dale and Parsley Hay.

There are plans to recruit for more than 10 full and part-time roles, the authority said.

Co-owner of Blueberry James Shawe said: "Shipley Country Park is a beautiful place, and we can't wait to open up to provide visitors with great homemade food and refreshments, whatever the weather.

"We're a friendly, small family business – and our investment in the cafe will both modernise the space and develop new services – we're looking forward to meeting everyone!"

In March, Ramblers co-owner Jeff Counsell told the BBC: "I have very mixed feelings, I'm just sad for our loyal customers.

"They have supported us for the past five years and supported us with our negotiations with the council, and we are so sorry to see the business go."

The cafe had been running for five years, and 15 staff members lost their jobs as a result of the closure, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Additional reporting by Eddie Bisknell, Local Democracy Reporter.