The pavilion cafe is open for business

A NEW café based in the pavilion in the King George V Park (KGV) has opened for business after a year-long refurbishment, including a complete renovation of the cafe.

The café called, Jack’s Kitchen, opened on Wednesday 24th January. Owner Craig Guthrie said, “I’m excited, nervous and happy all at once. We have spent the last year knocking through walls, having new kitchens fitted and I never want to see another tin of paint. Our aim is to stand out!

“We deliver contemporary breakfast and lunches made fresh and with love, with a middle eastern/north African influence. In our food we aim to surprise as well as comfort and please our customers, hopefully offering something unique but also slightly familiar.

“Please, everyone, pop in, grab a coffee or something to eat, bring the kids and use what we have built for the community.

“I want to thank Melksham Town Council for all their help and support in the project, especially Hugh Davies, cllr Hubbard, and Colin Goodhind.”

Discussions in Melksham Town Council around what will happen with the Pavilion had been ongoing for a few years. In 2022, the town council held a public survey asking for the community’s opinion about what people would like to see happen with the facility. 57 responses were given, with the majority of residents calling for a commercial café with toilets.

Two councillors also carried out research into how park cafes operate in other towns; cllr Jon Hubbard and cllr Jack Oatley visited Alice Park in Bath, Warminster Town Park and Hillworth Park in Devizes.

It was then voted on by councillors at the end of 2022, to put out a tender for a privately-owned business to run the space.

The cafe is open 8.30am until 5pm, seven days a week.