Visitors to Hammond’s Pond in Carlisle can once again enjoy refreshments at the park café, which has reopened under new management.
Local couple Eben Meyers and Leona Miller have taken on the lease of Hammond’s Pond Café and officially reopened the venue on 26 July. The café is now open daily from 9am to 5pm, serving a range of drinks, snacks and locally sourced products.
Customers can currently enjoy Lakes Ice Cream, coffee supplied by Carlisle roasters John Watt & Son, along with bottled drinks, crisps and chocolate bars. Over the coming months, the menu will expand to include light bites such as sandwiches, wraps, paninis, jacket potatoes and pies, alongside cakes and sweet pastries.
Eben and Leona said:
"We’re a local family who have recently taken over the management of Hammond’s Pond Café, and we’re incredibly excited to be part of its next chapter. We’ve lived in the Currock and Upperby area for the past 15 years, and our three children have all attended local schools and nurseries, so we felt that Hammond’s Pond Café was the perfect fit for us.
"Our aim is for the café to become more than just somewhere to grab a coffee or an ice cream. We want it to be a welcoming community hub where people can come together, and we’re looking forward to introducing weekly clubs and seasonal events for local families and residents to enjoy."
Hammond’s Pond is a Cumberland Council green space and the café is also owned by the council with a lease holder taking on the day to day responsibility to manage the site.
Michael Barry, Assistant Director of Thriving Places at Cumberland Council added:
"It’s great to see Hammond’s Pond Café reopen under new management. The café is an important facility within one of Carlisle’s most popular parks, and it’s encouraging to see local people taking it on and looking at ways to develop it further. We wish Eben and Leona every success."
The Secretary of the Friends of Hammond’s Pond, added:
“It has been fantastic to see the cafe re-open in our community green space. The café will bring back a welcoming atmosphere to the area, and we hope it continues to be a real hub for local residents and visitors to the park.
“We are particularly looking forward to working with the café on future community activities. Having local businesses that are keen to engage with the community makes a real difference, and I hope the café will thrive and continue to grow. We wish the owners and staff every success in the future.”
As part of their plans for the future, Eben and Leona are encouraging residents and visitors to share their ideas for the café through a new community feedback form.
The survey invites people to suggest new food and drink options, community activities and special events they would like to see introduced at Hammond’s Pond Café.
Anyone wishing to share their views can complete the form at: Hammonds Pond Cafe Suggestion Box
The feedback will help shape future plans for the café as the new operators work to create a welcoming space for local residents, park users and visitors to enjoy throughout the year.
Follow Hammond’s pond café on social media.