COCKENZIE House is looking for new people to run its tearoom after announcing the closure of its Secret Garden Cafe and Wienstube at the end of this month.

The cafe, which was launched last April and is run by county konditormeister Falko, is being shut for commercial reasons, the operators of the historic house and gardens said.

Falko took over the cafe last spring and oversaw a refurbishment of the tearoom, which has become a popular cafe for local residents and visitors.

However, Cockenzie House and Gardens has now announced that there is to be a parting of the ways.

In a statement, the management said: “It is with great sadness that we have to advise you that Falko – Secret Garden Cafe & Weinstube, will be closing on August 31.

“This was a purely commercial decision, taken by Falko in consultation with the board of Cockenzie House & Gardens, to allow him to focus on his core businesses in Gullane and Bruntsfield.

“We are currently in discussions with other parties who are interested in taking over the tearoom area.

“We would like to wish Falko and his team all the very best and we look forward to working alongside him in the future.”

The decision was met with disappointment from people who used the cafe.

MADE in East Lothian, which regularly holds events at the house, took to social media to express its view on the closure, saying: “So sorry to hear that Falko is leaving Cockenzie House. The MADE makers’ markets will not be the same without the excellent coffee and cake available in the cafe. All the best to the lovely staff for the future.”