Clissold Park Cafe is set to open January 3rd 2012, at last!

The much anticipated restoration of Clissold House - the park's gorgeous cafe - is to be completed by the New Year 2012, we're told. Hackney Council announced the decision to hand the venue's catering contract to London-wide organisation, Company of Cooks, back in the summer, to the dismay of many Stoke Newington residents who wanted the refurbished, Grade II building to remain a local venture (see here for details and opinions).

But things are well-underway with the refit. There is plenty of pressure on Company of Cooks to ensure a menu that caters for all budgets, rather than being exclusively restaurant-esque in its choice. The company will also be taking on the kiosk on the Green Lanes side of the park, too, so that refreshments are available without the long trek to the Clissold Road entrance, where the House stands.

In the first few weeks of opening there will be free guided tours of Clissold House for local people - more information will become available nearer the time.

We'll keep you posted on further progress, but the house and park are looking great now that the playpark is open again, and things are getting back to normal (albeit a much improved normality) after all the works.