Business / Fresh start beckons for Hay’s Dock cafe as new operator sought
A NEW operator is being sought to run a cafe in the Hay’s Dock space in the Shetland Museum and Archives.
It comes after the ‘Hay’s Dock by The Dowry’ venture closed last year amid staffing challenges.
The restaurant was previously run by museum operator Shetland Amenity Trust itself before being leased to Emma Louise’s Coffee Shop in 2019.
When the Dowry took on the space just over two years ago there had not been a cafe in the museum since 2020 when the Covid pandemic hit.
However, there now stands to be another chapter in the history of the Hay’s Dock cafe as the amenity trust seeks a new operator.
It said it is “looking for an individual or company with a love of Shetland’s heritage, interested in using the café space to enhance heritage activities and promote employment opportunities”.
A supporting document said there is no requirement to operate an evening restaurant service.
“However, Shetland Amenity Trust will support occasional (or pop up) evening openings at peak times during the year, whether by the operator (or, with agreement, other third parties),” it added.
The document also highlights that visitor numbers at the museum reached more than 51,000 in 2024.
It is thought that around half of the visitors would “seek refreshment” at the museum.
The operator would also get first refusal for catering provision for events and activities in the museum, from learning sessions to weddings.
The trust said the lease for the cafe would run from between one to five years.
It also said the value of this lease would be determined through the expressions of interest process.
“For indicative purposes, the building costs incurred by Shetland Amenity Trust for the café space is in the region of £30,000 per annum,” it added.
The closing date for expressions of interest is Friday 28 February 2025 at 10am.
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