LOCAL businesses are being urged to help breathe new life into the under-used staff canteen run by North Yorkshire County Council.

More than 1,000 people a day work in or visit County Hall in Northallerton and the authority believes it can make better use of the space as a café and meeting place as well as offer a big opportunity to a local business.

Deputy leader Gareth Dadd said: “The canteen is not well used at present and we want to provide a more dynamic area where people can take refreshment, but where they can also meet to discuss business.

“We are developing new ways of working and flexible use of all our offices so that frontline workers and others can use facilities whenever necessary for meetings or for use of desk space and equipment.

“For that reason we have thousands of people coming and going and we need a café or canteen that is fit for purpose.

“We believe this is a business opportunity to provide good food in an attractive meeting area for a population on the move that needs to use its time efficiently.”

He added: “We have historically run the facility internally but I believe this can be done better from those involved in the industry, including locally. They will be the experts.”

The council is now inviting ideas and plans to hold an initial open viewing of the present facilities on February 23 at 3.30pm when it will listen to ideas and proposals with a hope to be appointing a new operator this year.

Those who would like to attend should confirm to Donna Stevenson on 01609-532267 or email at donna.stevenson@northyorks.gov.uk