This is why The Lookout in Lepe Country Park is closed

The Lookout is used by many of the 300,000 people who visit Lepe Country Park each year to stroll along the beach and view evidence of the area's contribution to the D-Day landings in 1944.

The seafront cafe, which opened in the summer of 2018, is built on stilts to protect it from winter storms and rising sea levels.

Posting on social media, the country park said the closure would enable much-needed maintenance and upgrades to the kitchen to be carried out before the busiest period of the year.

"We realise this will be a disappointment to many of our regular visitors but feel that carrying out the work at this time causes as little disruption as possible."

Thousands of troops involved in the D-Day landings left from Lepe. Evidence of its contribution to the invasion can still be seen (Image: Newsquest.)

The cafe's kiosk will continue to offer hot and cold drinks and a "limited" range of hot food will be available from temporary catering units.

"Our visitor team will remain available throughout to assist you with your visit to the park."

READ MORE: Lepe Country Park ranked as best in UK for family outings

One of the people who commented on the post said: "Have to say 8/9 weeks seems a little excessive for upgrades to such a modern building."

In a reply, the park said: "This is the first time we have closed for maintenance in the 5.5 years since the building opened, and it is now something we cannot avoid doing to meet the needs of our visitors, numbers of which have grown year on year."

One of the war memorials at Lepe, which was one of the embarkation points for the D-Day landings in 1944 (Image: Newsquest.)

The park, which provides panoramic views of the Solent and the Isle of Wight, is owned by Hampshire County Council.

A council spokesperson said: "We are currently undertaking maintenance work at The Lookout, including an upgrade of the catering facilities.

"The changes include a refit and revised layout of the kitchen to enable staff to manage increasing demand and to speed up service, especially at busy times.

READ MORE: The Lookout at Lepe wins one of the 2021 Civic Awards

"Since The Lookout opened in 2018, the country park has seen a 20 per cent increase in visitors.

"The work will ensure The Lookout can continue to meet customer needs and, importantly, ensure Lepe Country Park is able to generate the income it needs to cover its costs.”

Lepe was one of the embarkation points for the D-Day landings, which launched the Allied invasion of Europe and changed the course of the Second World War.

Many of the structures used during the loading of men and equipment can still be seen.