Hastings Contemporary – Cafe Operational & Financial Review & Tender

Hastings Contemporary champions modern and contemporary art, with a reputation for its focus on paintings and on Modern British art. The gallery sits among Hasting’s famous net huts, overlooking the beach. Designed by HAT projects, the building has won several architectural awards

Hastings Contemporary are proud of their innovative programming, partnership and collaborations that support their commitment to outreach, learning and participation. Over the last 11 years they have established themselves as a celebrated cultural hub in the South East.

Montfort Catering Consultants are very excited to have been instrumental in the placing of the team from Bayte, St Leonards-on-Sea as the new food and drink partner at Hastings Contemporary. We were initially appointed to undertake a full operational and financial review of the catering at the gallery, along with determining changes required to benefit from the recommended opportunities. Key to this was identifying and developing culturally compatible and commercially sustainable food and drink opportunities at the gallery.

Following our recommendations, we were invited to undertake a market engagement exercise, followed by managing and running a full catering tender, to identify and place a suitable food and beverage partner. Our proactive approach utilised our extensive experience, resources and operator network to identify and introduce suitable hospitality operators to the gallery.

coquina at Hastings Contemporary, opened in March 2025, and is a Mediterranean inspired restaurant and café with stunning panoramic views.

coquina is brought to you by the team behind Bayte – Ruby Baglione (Petersham Nurseries), Silvy Pilkington, along with chef Wil Hopson (formerly of Tillingham, Moro, Kricket and Carousel). Inspired by a shared love of Spanish tapas bars, Italian trattorias and Greek tavernas, coquina serves vibrant dishes featuring the best produce from across the south coast.

Of course, this superb partnership didn’t happen over-night or by accident, but via our tailored catering advice, extensive experience and access to our comprehensive hospitality contacts.

Catering consultancy services provided:

• Catering operational review
• Market analysis including trends analysis
• Identification of key visitor & public catering opportunities & recommendations
• Future concept style options, recommendations & future operating model
• Benchmarking, financial potential & business modelling
• Market engagement exercise
• Catering tender management & contractual development support
• Board representation