The Cliffhanger brings catering van to Highcliffe Castle

The Cliffhanger team arrived at the castle on Sunday to launch their new mobile catering van.

The company, who had lost ownership of the Highcliffe Castle Tea Rooms in 2017, will be serving food and drink at the site through to September.

Karen Goldingay, who was worked at The Cliffhanger for 14 years, said it was “lovely to be back” at the castle.

• Read more: Reaction to temporary closure of Highcliffe Castle Tea Rooms

She told the Daily Echo: “We had so much support. The amount of people that came back to us and said, ‘it’s so good that you’re back.’

“Even people that didn’t know us, they were just happy we were open.

“It was a lovely day, and we were so well received.”

The Cliffhanger had run Highcliffe Castle Tea Rooms for 17 years up until 2017 when it was taken over by US Company Aramark.

The Cliffhanger team have arrived at Highcliffe Castle (Image: Cllr Andy Martin)

The ownership was later transferred to BCP Council in April 2022.

In November 2022, the local authority made the decision to close the tea rooms, a move that faced backlash from residents and elected leaders.

• Read more: Highcliffe Castle Tea Rooms to close until further notice

Speaking at the time, Highcliffe and Walkford ward councillor Andy Martin said: “It’s a jewel in the crown of Highcliffe Castle, and for it not to be open is really poor.

“It’s hugely disappointing and I think we’ve let the residents and visitors down by not having this facility open over the winter.”

But following the temporary appointment of Cliffhanger Cafe Ltd last week, a catering service has returned to the castle.

The Cliffhanger team are currently operating from pitch just outside and will make use of the outdoor seating available at the castle.

Their mobile catering van is described as offering a wide range of hot and cold drinks, snacks and fresh produce “to suit all tastes and requirements”.

Karen said: “We only source local produce, from local businesses. That’s our ethos. In all the years we’ve had the Cliffhanger, we’ve wanted to support locals.”