The renovations will not be finished until mid-August but according to Turner the wait will be well worth while.

"We envisage the Botanic Gardens Café as a facility that Christchurch residents will visit again and again. We hope it will become an area where residents are happy to take visitors to our City."

The cafe service will include traditional morning and afternoon teas, light and healthy salads, hot and cold meals as well as drinks and excellent espresso coffee. Other plans include the addition of a conservatory. This restaurant overflow area would offer more appeal, versatility and capacity for function catering, he said.

A revitalised facility that reflects a traditional (relaxing and tranquil) garden ambience will combine with a personalised cafe service to provide customers, tourists and local visitors a quality and memorable experience.

According to Turner the company’s tender was focused around significant capital investment with the aim of substantially upgrading the Gardens Restaurant and Kiosk both internally and externally. Their aim was to create a facility in keeping with the image of Christchurch as a world class garden City, and also embrace the slogan ‘Fresh Each Day,’ Christchurch and Canterbury Marketing’s new marketing brand.

"Our vision is to create a café style restaurant atmosphere. Customers today have become accustomed to being provided a variety of food service choices within a confined area as can be seen in popular café dining areas throughout New Zealand."

Dean Turner 03 348 0095

South Island Operations Manager

Eurest New Zealand