HIGHCLIFFE Castle Tea Rooms is closing until further notice.

The popular cafe will be closed from Friday, November 25 while decisions are made on its future. 

BCP Council took over the premises in April after its previous operators ceased operating.

The team who now run the tea rooms are going to assess what options are available for the facility. 

The closure comes just weeks after the local authority decided to shut Fox Cafe in Redhill, Bournemouth, for winter.

A notice posted outside Highcliffe Castle Tea Rooms said: "In April, the Highcliffe Castle Tea Rooms saw its previous operators cease trading on the site, and to ensure a catering facility remained available to visitors during the busy summer months the Council took over the operation of the facility.

"During the very quiet winter months, we’re now taking the opportunity to undertake a full assessment of what new, exciting catering offers we could unlock for the site. Whilst this process is underway, we will not be opening Highcliffe Castle Tea Rooms, starting from Friday, November 25, until further notice.

"This will enable the team to complete an extensive evaluation of the venue, its condition, and options for this popular site.

"There are many options being investigated on what the future catering offer could be at Highcliffe Castle, and we will update you in the new year with the plans going forward.

"Until then, the team would like to say a massive thank-you to all their customers for their service."

On Monday morning, BCP Council added that the closure is for the winter and that they are looking for a new operator to come in for easter.