As normal life, business and leisure are all disrupted across the world by the virus, working in partnership at Oakham creates opportunities and a stronger community outlook.

In Rutland, the Castle Cottage café and Oakham Castle are using the closure periods to turn problems into a resourceful opportunity.

Steve Oakenfull, the Castle Cottage café owner, has approached Rutland County Council to enquire about running his successful and popular cafe business out of the kitchen and Court no 1 room at Oakham Castle, with the Great Hall continuing to operate as a significant national visitor attraction and a venue for weddings and events.

The formal application for the lease agreement and planning have progressed, and approval has also been received by the National Lottery Heritage Fund that provided invaluable steer, support and funding for the Oakham Castle Restoration project over the past four years.

The café move will provide a more complete offering to the Castle visitors, regular dog walkers and day-trip visitors, whilst improving the site's future viability. It provides an opportunity to supplement the improved visitor offer at the Great Hall, and of the Sensory Garden, currently being completed as the final development of the heritage lottery project.

The joined-up approach will enhance the tourism offer and help increase footfall for all the local businesses, including shops and hotels, as it will be a more attractive package for tour operators and group visits.

Steve, the café owner, is absolutely delighted with the café's new home and he now feels that Castle Cottage Cafe at the Castle was meant to be.

He said: "Being just around the corner from the old premises means all of the café's regulars won't have far to go.

"Old and new customers alike will be able to enjoy the historic setting of the internal spaces and the uniqueness of the castle grounds and garden.

"The menu, praised by so many, will include all the old favourites including the much loved Castle Cottage breakfast, the delicious Sea Food Salad, the range paninis, toasties, sandwiches, platters, jacket potatoes and healthy kids menu, as well as some new additions

"And of course the wonderful Afternoon Teas and selection of scrummy homemade cakes and scones."

Depending on government guidance and local restrictions, a formal opening is expected to take place in April 2021.

The sensory garden is expected to be opening around the same time too. Oakham Castle is looking for volunteers interested in helping welcoming visitors at the Great Hall once 'back to normal', doing research or maintaining the new garden!

If interested please contact the Operations Manager Linda Healey, [email protected].

And for further information, contact details and to reserve a table at the cafe visit: https://www.castlecottagecafe.com/.