Alhamra Cafe shut down over hygiene issues, bad food.

LAHORE -- The Alhamra Cafe, a vital venue for the visitors and artistes at the Alhamra Art Centre, Mall Road, has been closed down as its year-long contract has been cancelled by Lahore Arts Council (LAC) Executive Director Nazia Jabeen over the alleged hygiene and cleanliness issues.

The contractor was being awarded a contract every year for the last 15 years; however, no keen attention was paid to it by the Alhamra administration during the previous years.

Ms Jabeen recently visited the cafe and found it in a deplorable condition as there was a great dearth of cleanliness at the cafe while the food also was not of good standard. She directed the staff concerned to announce a new bid for the canteen and get some new contractor. The current contractor's contract is also about to end, which was for one year.

LAC Deputy Director (Admin) Khurram Naveel, when contacted in this regard, said the council was in process of new bidding for the cafe. 'We are trying to engage some reputed food supplier for quality food through the bidding process, which will be completed during Ramazan. On Eid, a new contractor will get the charge of the cafeteria'.

Bidding for new contractor in process

Khurram said Alhamra was a premier cultural body of the city and its cafe should be of some standard, having quality food and a refreshing ambiance.

It may be mentioned here that the Alhamra Cultural Complex, Qaddafi Stadium does not have any proper cafe but just a small kiosk where one could find only tea and biscuits. At Alhamra Art Centre, Mall Road, only sandwiches, biscuits and tea are available there is no arrangement for proper lunch for the staff.

Ms Jabeen has asked the staff to remove the current promotional boards of commercial theatre from the main entrance to the council to be...