Takeaway food is now available from a new coastal facility at Silecroft.
The new facility, designed by Scottish architects Konishi Gaffney, is now complete and Cumberland Council will shortly be going out to the market to appoint a permanent operator to manage the café.
In the meantime, Ravenglass Handmade Ice Cream has started offering a takeaway service from the premises, selling ice-creams, light refreshments and hot and cold drinks. New externally accessed toilet facilities, which include a changing places room for visitors with additional needs, are also available.
The café’s design maximises views of both the sea and Black Combe Fell through its splayed forms, providing shelter from the wind regardless of direction. The building integrates the pitched slate roof vernacular of the Lake District with adaptations suitable for its beach context. It has a highly Insulated timber frame to ensure energy efficiency, along with integrated Solar PV to provide sustainable power and heating.
The building, which was constructed by Cumbrian firm Roland Hill, hosts bespoke shutters designed by Scottish artist and Turner Prize winner, Martin Boyce. The shutters are formed from a repeated triangular motif, reminiscent of boat sails and are the fourth in the series of creative works to be revealed along the Cumbrian Coast.
Lead architect, Kieran Gaffney, stated:
“It was a delight to see the wraps taken off and the new café complete. The views of the sea are breathtaking, the artist designed shutters are strikingly beautiful and I love that the building looks like it’s always been there.”
The building has been completed with the support of Whicham Parish Council. They said:
“Whicham Parish Council and Cumberland Council are excited to announce the completion of Silecroft Beach Cafe after four years of joint collaboration. It is an iconic building part of Whicham Parish Community Plan and Copeland Coastal Communities Vision. With beautiful views of the sea and Black Combe it will offer a fantastic facility for locals and visitors including a Changing Places room for adults with disabilities.
“The tender for the permanent operator will be advertised soon by Cumberland Council but Ravenglass Ice Creams will provide a temporary takeaway service from the hatch. We look forward to seeing you there.”
Andrew & Samantha Bowden of Ravenglass Handmade Ice Cream said:
"We are thrilled to be a part of this initiative and look forward to serving the community with our handmade ice creams and refreshments. This new facility is a wonderful addition to the area, and we are excited to contribute to its success."
Other completed elements of the Coastal programme that aim to bring art, adventure and improved infrastructure to the coast are as follows:
- Improvements to cycleways and footpaths at Eskdale Trail Excitement as Eskdale Trail is improved : Lake District National Park and St Bees path
- New activities at Muncaster Castle Play Areas at Muncaster Castle | Yeti Adventure Quarry, Adventure Playground, Enchanted Trail
- Supporting inclusive cycling through Wheels for All events and taster sessions in Whitehaven and Millom
- Six West Cumbria Tale Trail maps for Whitehaven, Silecroft, Ravenglass, St Bees, Seascale and Haverigg Story Maps and Walks Exploring Heritage, Wildlife & Folklore (taletrails.co.uk)
- Coastal public art through support to Lake District National Park Authority in the development of the Eskdale Trail, featuring local artist Chris Brammell, plus additional works: Ryan Gander’s Chronos Kairos 23:59 at Seascale, By Sound Near Sea Wall by Susan Philipsz at Whitehaven Harbour and most recently Nattering by Jamie Jenkinson at Millom Library.
You can keep up to date with all progress on the coastal programme, visit our regeneration webpage.