A new coastal facility at Silecroft is now offering takeaway food.

The beachside café, designed by Scottish architects Konishi Gaffney, has been officially completed and Cumberland Council are looking to appoint a permanent operator to manage it.

In the meantime, however, seaside diners can purchase Ravenglass Handmade Ice Cream's ice creams, light refreshments, as well as hot and cold drinks - with a side order of stunning sea views.

But it is not just food the facility offers, with externally accessed toilet facilities, which includes a changing places room for visitors with additional needs, also available.

The café's structure pairs a distinctly Lake District slate roof with modern design elements more at home on the beach to provide a haven from the wind.

Roland Hill, a local Cumbrian firm were the building's key contractors.

The standout design feature is the collection of custom shutters - artistic creations by Turner Prize winner, Martin Boyce.

These items, channelling the feel of nautical sails, form part of a series of creative installations along the Cumbrian Coast.

(Image: Cumberland Council)

Kieran Gaffney, the lead architect, said: "It was a delight to see the wraps taken off and the new café complete.

"The views of the sea are breathtaking, the artist-designed shutters are strikingly beautiful and I love that the building looks like it’s always been there."

Spotlighting their joy at the project's outcome, representatives from Whicham Parish Council (part of the development team), said: "Whicham Parish Council and Cumberland Council are excited to announce the completion of Silecroft Beach Cafe after four years of joint collaboration.

"We look forward to seeing you there."

The site's present occupants, Ravenglass Handmade Ice Cream, vowed to uphold their new responsibilities.

Andrew and Samantha Bowden said: "We are thrilled to be a part of this initiative and look forward to serving the community with our handmade ice creams and refreshments.

"This new facility is a wonderful addition to the area, and we are excited to contribute to its success."

In tandem with the café, allotments have been set aside for cycleway and footpath advancements, inclusion-focused cycling events, interactive art displays and a series of West Cumbria Tale Trail Maps to further elevate the seaside locale as a prime visitor destination.

For more updates on the coastal programme, visit https://www.copeland.gov.uk/regeneration-projects.