Fenland Council is to abandon any prospect of ever finding a tenant for its Boathouse café in Wisbech and is to let it as office or retail space.

The final decision is yet to be made but in recent years the café has been closed more often than its been open after the £40 million Nene regeneration failed to provide the 250 homes originally planned.

Councillor Ralph Butcher, the portfolio holder for the economy, said: “An options paper considering the future use of the space previously used as a café was discussed by the management team.

“It has been agreed that we explore the market with commercial agents to market the space as a potential office/retail space subject to obtaining planning permissions.”

He said: “Contact has been made with four local agents to gauge their interest.”

He said the council had one viewing in December for it “and this was very positive. “The customer viewed South Fens Business Centre as well and is weighing up options.”