Could you be part of the next chapter of Ipswich Museum?
Ipswich Borough Council is seeking an ambitious café operator to establish a distinctive food and drink offer within the newly redeveloped Ipswich Museum, reopening in 2027 following a major transformation.
This is a rare opportunity to create and operate a café within one of Suffolk's most historic and recognisable public buildings serving museum visitors, local residents, families, community groups and visitors to Ipswich throughout the year.
Opportunity at a glance
Reopening: 2027
Location: Ipswich Museum, High Street, Ipswich
Internal seating: Up to 54 covers
External terrace: Up to 20 covers
Museum opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am–5pm
Event catering: Opportunities available
Fit-out: Flexible options available
A unique setting
Following a major redevelopment, Ipswich Museum will become an even more vibrant destination for culture, learning, community activity and events.
The café will sit at the heart of this experience, with the potential to become a destination in its own right somewhere people choose to visit for great food and drink as well as somewhere to stop during their museum visit.
The opportunity offers:
- A prominent High Street location
- Up to 54 internal covers
- Potential for a further 20 covers on an external terrace
- A prominent position within the museum visitor experience
- A diverse potential customer base throughout the week
- The opportunity to develop a distinctive café concept
- Potential to build links with the museum's programme, exhibitions and events
More than a daytime café
The opportunity isn't limited to daytime museum visitors.
The successful operator may also have the opportunity to provide food, drink and hospitality for:
- Evening events
- Exhibition launches
- Corporate receptions
- Community events
- Children's parties
- Private hires
- Educational activities
- Museum launches and special events
This creates the potential to develop additional revenue streams beyond normal daytime café trading.
Flexible approach to fit-out
We recognise that operators have different business models, investment capabilities and ideas.
The Council is therefore open to discussing a range of occupation and fit-out arrangements, including:
- Tenant fit-out
- Landlord fit out
- Shared investment solutions
- Turnkey arrangements, where appropriate
We are keen to engage with potential operators early to explore a model that works for both parties.
Why Ipswich Museum?
The reopening of Ipswich Museum represents a significant cultural investment in the town and will create a renewed destination for residents and visitors.
The transformed museum will feature:
- New and enhanced galleries
- Improved visitor facilities
- Educational and community programmes
- Family-focused attractions and activities
- A programme of events and experiences
- An enhanced visitor experience designed to encourage people to stay longer and return
The café will form an important part of that experience.
We're looking for an operator who can create something distinctive, welcoming and sustainable, an offer that works for museum visitors while also attracting local people and becoming a destination in its own right.
Who are we looking for?
We would like to hear from:
- Experienced café and hospitality operators
- Independent cafés and food businesses
- Established hospitality businesses looking for a new location
- Social enterprises
- Innovative food and beverage providers
- Businesses with experience of cultural, heritage or visitor attractions
You don't necessarily need to currently operate a café within a museum or cultural venue. We are interested in hearing from operators who have a strong concept, a sustainable business model and a passion for creating great food, drink and customer experiences.
Interested in finding out more?
Ipswich Borough Council is currently undertaking market engagement and would welcome conversations with interested operators.
To register your interest or request further information, please contact: info@investipswich.co.uk.
Could you create the café that becomes part of Ipswich Museum's next chapter?
We'd love to hear from you.