MINEHEAD’S popular Blenheim Gardens Café – closed with only a few days’ notice in November after being run by the same family for 50 years – could be relet to new tenants after refurbishment in the next few months.

There have already been four expressions of interest, Cllr Martin Dewdney, West Somerset Council’s lead member for resources and central support, told Minehead town councillors last Tuesday.

But he said “a fair bit of work needed to be done” on the building

before anyone else could use it.

Hundreds of people went on social media to mourn the loss of the café, described as “a very special place” and “a unique asset to the town”.

Suzanne Dean was forced to close the café, popular with holidaymakers and young families, at the beginning of November after 25 years when her lease was terminated with a week’s notice.

She was offered a further lease at a higher rent, plus additional conditions including maintenance of the building, but said that was not a viable option.

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