City of Mount Gambier have partnered with Limestone Coast Pantry to continue operation of the Bookmark Café, located within the Mount Gambier Library. Council resolved to enter into a service agreement with the local business at its February 2020 meeting, following an expression of interest process resulting from the retirement of the previous operator.
Council considered business proposals from interested parties to enable the provision of an ongoing hospitality service for Library patrons.
“We are pleased to have the Limestone Coast Pantry team at the Bookmark Café and look forward to working together with a clear focus on ensuring outcomes that also benefit the community,” Mount Gambier Library Manager Georgina Davison said.
As an established local business with multiple outlets in the city, Limestone Coast Pantry have expressed their passion for the community and see opportunities to contribute to broader council and community objectives through operation of the centrally located café.
We see this as a wonderful opportunity to partner with the Library and Council to enhance the experience of locals and visitors to the civic and arts and culture precinct.
– Limestone Coast Pantry Director Lyn McLachlan
“We have already partnered with many local organisations and see huge potential in the space of the Bookmark Café to further grow these partnerships.”
Upgrade works are set to commence onsite in coming months in order to meet compliance requirements that have changed since the site was first established 10 years ago.
“Works will include replacement of aged equipment and relocation of the service area away from the automatic doors to reduce congestion following feedback from both customers and the previous operator,” Ms Davison said.
Further works will be referred to Council’s 2020/2021 budget deliberations, with input from the new operator.
The Bookmark Café is located at 6 Watson Terrace within the Mount Gambier Library and is operational from 9:00am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 2:00pm on Saturdays and 11:00am to 2:00pm on Sundays.
