Paul Lamplugh wins Campaign to Save Diana’s Café

Paul Lamplugh OBE, now 75, father of missing estate agent Suzy Lamplugh, who disappeared without trace in 1986, has not only taken on and won a campaign to have the historic Coach House Café in Marble Hill Park, re-opened, he also plans to run it.

Asked why he felt so strongly about the Café, Paul says:

“Sadly, due to a massive stroke in 2003, my wife Diana has been in hospital nearby in Twickenham for the last few years and for two years I took her out from the hospital to this café everyday. It’s a delightful place in a beautiful park and was a lovely treat for us both, so I was very disappointed when English Heritage had to close the cafe in February 2006 because it was making a loss.”

Paul determined to have the cafe re-opened for Diana and all the other visitors to the park who enjoy it and he got together with local residents to start a campaign.

The campaign was a success and Paul and local resident Jenni Dunn won the contract for it. The Coach House Café, to be run for local people as a not-for-profit concern, opens fully on Good Friday, 6th April.

Local actress Samantha Bond who supports the reopening of the café says: “I’ve known the Café well ever since I was 9 years old — it is one of the most beautiful places in London and I’m so delighted that Paul is re-opening it as a not-for-profit venture for us all — and for Diana who has done so much for everyone’s personal safety”

Jenni Dunn says:

“We are grateful for the support of English Heritage. We will provide fresh coffee, afternoon tea with home-baked cakes, light and healthy lunches and, of course, ice creams and children’s food — all served in the café or outside on the park terrace.”