Jobs at Brighton and Hove museum cafes could be under threat after Peyton and Byrne pulled out of its catering contract.
The high-end London caterer has decided to stop running tea rooms and cafes at Brighton Dome, Brighton Museum, the Royal Pavilion and Hove Museum over the next few months.
It says the cafes do not “fit with their core activities in London.”
Joint tenders will be run for event catering and the cafes, with the Dome and Festival bars expected to return to in-house management.
Janita Bagshawe, Head Royal Pavilion, Arts and Museums and Andrew Comben, Chief Executive Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival said: “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 partnership on a joint tender for event catering and daytime cafes.
“We look forward to welcoming applications from bidders who appreciate the uniqueness of Brighton and Hove and can cater for what our visitors and audiences really want, helping us to make the Royal Pavilion Estate a world-class destination for residents and visitors.”
Existing event catering commitments will be honoured and café facilities will remain open for business until the tendering process for cafes is complete.
Consultation will now begin with elected staff representatives and unions in relation to how Peyton & Byrne staff can best be protected.
