A MUCH-loved Darlington café is set to reopen next month once lockdown restrictions have eased.

Darlington’s South Park café, close to the Clock Tower and Education Centre, will reopen its outdoor ‘pavement’ café and offer takeaway service from Monday April 12.

The indoor seating area is then due to reopen from Monday May 17 subject to government restrictions.

Councillor Andy Keir, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for local services, said: “We know how popular the café is with visitors to South Park and we’re delighted to be able to reopen it for the benefit of park users.

“We have decided to keep it in-house and our staff are looking forward to welcoming visitors as restrictions ease.”

The café is set to offer a wide range of refreshments including barista-style coffee, tea and cold drinks as well as cakes, hot and cold sandwiches and children’s picnic boxes.

It will be open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm and Saturday to Sunday from 8.30pm to 4pm.

The cafe closed in September last year after the Richmond Leisure Trust terminated its contract to run the establishment.