Malton’s Wesley Centre church to open cafe in 2026
Maltonβs Wesley Centre, an 1811 Grade II* listed Methodist church, will open Chapel Kitchen in early 2026 as part of a major refurbishment project.
The new cafΓ© will serve as a central feature in the buildingβs Β£2.5 million transformation into a classical music and community arts hub.
Paul Emberley, project lead for the Wesley Centre, said: “Chapel Kitchen will be open from 8am to 4pm six days per week and will be a unique cafΓ© 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.
“Weβre dedicated to supporting local producers too, and with a fine choice of freshly brewed coffees and teas.”
The Wesley Centre has already welcomed thousands of visitors over the past year, even as restoration work has continued.
The revamped venue now includes a classical concert hall, exhibition space, and one of Ryedaleβs best natural acoustic environments, all designed to support a full calendar of arts, music, and cultural events.
Regular users of the space include four large community choirs, which meet on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.
Mr Emberley said: “Music is the beating heart of the Wesley Centre β and Chapel Kitchen will be a place to enjoy culture too, and local artists are now encouraged to get in touch if theyβd like to use our large space, for free.
“Visitors can expect live music and offers for children to eat free on certain days.”
Recruitment is now underway for the cafΓ©, with roles available for an innovative chef, a deputy, front-of-house staff, and volunteers.
Mr Emberley said: “Weβre 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 β and itβs 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.
“Weβre 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.”
The campaign to save the Wesley Centre began in 2016 after major roof issues threatened the buildingβs future and it was listed for sale twice without attracting a buyer.
Community consultation revealed a clear need for more public space in Malton, especially given the growing populations of Malton and Norton.
Mr Emberley said: “The Wesley Centre is now making a huge leap forward in its journey.
“Chapel Kitchen will deliver significant revenue as a cafΓ© to help ensure the future sustainability of the building.
“As a community hub, The Wesley Centre celebrates diversity, welcoming everyone as they are and is open to all from across the community.
“Those of all faiths, or those with none, are welcome, and weβre now proud too to be registered to host same-sex marriages.”
The restoration has included roof repairs, updates to the main concert space, and the conversion of the north wing into commercial office space.
A future phase of development, estimated at Β£1.6 million, will add a fully accessible three-storey annex with additional meeting rooms, green rooms, more toilets, a larger kitchen, and the reinstatement of a historic pipe organ.
The Wesley Centre remains a place of worship, holding services every Sunday at 10am as it has done for more than two centuries.
It also hosts the Malton Free Fridge project, which redistributes surplus food to around 20,000 people annually.
For more information, contact the Wesley Centre office on 01653 918910 or email admin@maltonwesleycentre.org.