Catering company pulls out of museum cafés

Jobs at Brighton and Hove museum cafés could be under threat after Peyton and Byrne pulled out of its catering contract.

The London caterer has decided to stop running tea rooms and cafés at Brighton Dome, Brighton Museum, the Royal Pavilion, and Hove Museum.

Joint tenders will be run for event catering and the cafés, with the Dome and Brighton Festival bars expected to return to in-house management.

Janita Bagshawe, head of Royal Pavilion, Arts and Museums, and Andrew Comben, chief executive of Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival, said in a joint statement: 'We are disappointed that Peyton and Byrne will be leaving at this stage, especially as they have invested considerably locally in existing and new outlets over the past 16 months.

'We are pleased to confirm, however, that Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival and the Royal Pavilion will continue working in artnership on a joint tender for event catering and daytime cafés.

'We look forward to welcoming applications from bidders who appreciate the uniqueness of Brighton and Hove.'

Existing event catering commitments will be honoured and café facilities will remain open for business.

Consultation will now begin with elected staff representatives and unions in relation to how Peyton and Byrne staff can best be protected.