DELICIOUS Ethiopian flavours will soon become a regular feature at Palmer Park.

The award-winning Tutu Melaku is set to take over at the former Chalkboard Café, which closed in 2017.

The eagerly-awaited opening will take place on March 3, with a free BBQ in the part from 12pm to 3pm.

Tutu said: “I am thrilled that Reading Borough Council is giving me this opportunity to expand my Ethiopian Table to this wonderful new location in Palmer Park Café.

"I look forward to welcoming my new and old customers to my beautiful new venue from March 3, where I will offer my Ethiopian cuisine, as well hot drinks and snacks.”

The council awarded the new tenancy of the lodge café to her in November 2018 and staff have been working with Tutu for many months to bring the building back into use.

Councillor Sarah Hacker, lead member for Culture, Heritage and Recreation, said: “I am delighted we have found such a fantastic new tenant for Palmer Café, following our community letting process earlier this year and I am very excited to visit the café when it opens in March.

“Tutu is famous in Reading for her delicious Ethiopian fare, and I am sure the new café will be very popular.

"I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has been involved in making this happen. The new café will be a great benefit to the local community and I wish Tutu every success with her exciting new venture.”

The café is located close to the park playground at the edge of Wokingham Road in East Reading.

The first ‘Pavilion Refreshment Room’ was opened at this location in 1891 and the café still has elements of the original kitchen and fireplace features to present day.

Email: tutu.melaku@ntlworld.com to register your interest before March 1.