A POPULAR Greenwich Park cafe could remain shut to visitors into Easter after delays in its refurbishment.

The Pavilion Tea House was closed at the end of last year, shortly after catering company Creative Taste were awarded a five-year contract worth an estimated £7m to run five park venues.

They announced a complete internal makeover with improved lighting and seating, set to be unveiled in January - but halfway into February the much-loved venue has still not reopened.

Now it has been announced that a condition survey has showed both the cafe and St Mary’s Gate Lodge require much more structural and electrical work than expected needs to be done before the refurbishment can even begin.

It is now hoped the cafe, which is situated next to the Royal Observatory and a firm favourite with tourists and residents, can re-open in time for Easter.

News Shopper: Greenwich Park Pavilion Tea House still closed over refurb delays

Park manager Graham Dear said: "The Royal Parks, along with our new catering partners for Greenwich Park Creative Taste, are committed to refurbishing the Pavilion Cafe to a standard befitting its history and prominence. We had expected to be in a position to reopen the Pavilion Café in January, following a refit and redecoration.

"However, we’ve identified a number of further improvements and as a result the work will take longer than anticipated.

"The Wolfe Statue kiosk, which has a new menu, will remain open every day and the Café at St Mary’s Gate will be open every weekend. We apologise for this delay but hope that the visitors to Greenwich Park will appreciate and enjoy the improvements we plan to make for years to come."