In 2026 there will be a change for the cafe at Penlee House Gallery & Museum in Penlee Park. Whilst light refreshments will still be available to enjoy in the popular setting of the historic house, the main cafe will expand to the newly developed Coach House – just a few steps away – offering twice as many tables, longer opening hours and a full commercial kitchen.
Penlee House is first and foremost a Gallery and Museum owned and run by the Council housing nationally significant art and artefacts. All Councils and the Museum sector face significant challenges, with 480 museums having closed across the UK since 2000 and a number of closures locally in Cornwall more recently.
Penzance Council was successful in accessing a significant Town Deal Enterprise Grant to redevelop the adjacent Coach House based on an evaluated business plan.
Due to insurance requirements and its location within the gallery, the much-loved Orangery Café is limited in its type of cooking and its opening hours. There are also requirements for Council employed staff to be on site for the café to open.
To sustain Penlee House in the longer term, the Council has to look at increasing income generation and not just rely on Council Tax.
The new space being created at the Coach House will accommodate 68 indoor covers rather than the existing 28 within Penlee House, as well as enabling a full commercial kitchen for the first time. The new café will also allow for operational hours to service the wider community through the evening rather than the current restricted opening hours of 10am – 4.30pm.
The vision for the new café at The Coach House is for it to work in conjunction with a light refreshments offering at Penlee House. This would allow for the retail space to expand and generate income for the gallery, whilst improving entrance accessibility to Penlee House.
The Council is required to go through an open tender process for the operation of the new café. This tender process is open to everyone to apply, including the Orangery Café.
You can see the full details of the tender here: Contracts – Penzance Council
