‘Unique’ café set to open at Wesley Centre

A North Yorkshire heritage venue is preparing to reopen its doors with a new food offer and an expanded cultural programme following a multi-million-pound restoration.

A new café is set to open in early 2026 as part of the transformation of Malton’s Grade II* listed Wesley Centre into a combined music, arts and community hub. 

The project marks the latest milestone in a three-year programme of major works to restore and reimagine the historic former Methodist church building.

The café, named Chapel Kitchen, will form a central part of the revitalised venue, supporting its role as a year-round destination for residents and visitors. 

Its opening will coincide with the launch of an extensive programme of classical concerts from spring 2026, building on the venue’s growing cultural use over the past year.

Restoration of the 1811 building has delivered a classical concert hall with natural acoustics regarded among the finest in Ryedale, alongside exhibition areas and flexible spaces for talks, workshops and events.

Already, the Wesley Centre hosts several large community choirs and has welcomed thousands of concertgoers and users while works have continued.

Led by a team headed by local resident and former mayor of Malton, Paul Emberley, the project followed a community-led campaign launched in 2016 to save the building from closure.

To date, around £2.5 million has been invested in restoration works, funded through church support, grants, donations and loan finance.

Paul said: “Chapel Kitchen will be open from 8am to 4pm six days per week and will be a unique café experience, differentiating itself from other establishments, including its setting in a wonderful iconic space.  

“It will offer great breakfast dishes, mid-morning snacks, light lunches, and delicious bakery products, all using the freshest of local ingredients. 

“We’re dedicated to supporting local producers too, and with a fine choice of freshly brewed coffees and teas.”

Paul added: “Music is the beating heart of the Wesley Centre – and Chapel Kitchen will be a place to enjoy culture too, and local artists are now encouraged to get in touch if they’d like to use our large space, for free. 

“Visitors can expect live music and offers for children to eat free on certain days.”

Chapel Kitchen is now recruiting staff ahead of its opening, while plans are also in place for a future £1.6 million accessible east wing, subject to securing further funding, to expand facilities and support the centre’s long-term growth.

Paul added: “We’re offering competitive salaries for flexible full-time or part time roles. 

“If you want to improve your own work-life balance, you can forget split-shifts too – and it’s an opportunity for a seasoned or newly trained chef and deputy to work in a brand-new state-of the-art kitchen, one of the best of its kind in the region. 

“We’re also keen to invite volunteers to train as baristas to help run this exciting new not-for-profit community venture, which will be operated on professional lines.”    

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