'As a result of a successful grant application to the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), work is currently underway to complete the much anticipated tearooms at the Roman Lakes Leisure Park, Marple. The development will incorporate the provision of indoor catering facilities, within the substantial existing stone building, and improvements to the children’s play area and car park.

The existing kiosk facility will be retained, but an indoor-seated area, complete with an enhanced menu, will ensure that the Lakes can remain a destination to lovers of the outdoors beyond the short summer months.  Indeed, it is hoped that developing the existing catering facilities will ensure long-term future security for a traditionally seasonal business and, thereby, ensure the future provision of continued public access to our leisure and recreation facilities.

Our grant application was submitted in April of this year, and after a long wait news of our success was officially gained in June.  Consequently, the project is part financed by the European Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas.  The funding is delivered through the Northwest Development Agency, with Defra as the Managing Authority.'