The World of Glass is a local museum and visitor centre is St Helens, dedicated to the local history of the town and borough, primarily through the lens of the glass industry. The museum includes a Victorian street; explores the science of glass as well as hosting changing exhibitions.
Key to any visit is a walk across the glass bridge to visit Tank House 9, Grade II listed, a scheduled monument and archaeological site, which is where continuous glass production began.
As part of the experience visitors can watch traditional live glass blowing in the huge hot glass studio. The museum also has a Café and gardens along with artisan shop selling beautiful and unique pieces of glass made on the premises. Further, in August 2026, The International Festival of Glass took place in St Helens, attracting over 10,000 visitors and providing a significant opportunity to promote The World of Glass to local, regional and national audiences.
With support through the Art’s Council England’s Museum Renewal Fund released from The Department for Culture, Media and Sport as well as a successful Crowdfunder, The World of Glass developed plans to ensure the long term commercial resilience of the museum, with catering playing a significant part.
Prior to Montfort Catering Consultants’ involvement the Café and wider catering opportunity at The World of Glass was not optimising its potential, partially due to a series of operational and financial issues. However, a further identified issue related to the position of the Café, which had become even less favourable as the museum infrastructure and exhibition spaces had developed. Located at the rear of the Museum the Café was not optimising museum visitor footfall or additional footfall and potential passing trade at the front facing visitor entrance and main reception area.
Montfort Catering Consultants’ support and advice included undertaking an operational and financial review of the Café, along with an options appraisal and recommendations to move the Café to the front of the building. Following implementation of our advice and recommendations, including a robust and compelling business case to relocate the Café, the relocated Café is exceeding budgetary expectations as well as providing a significantly enhanced visitor experience.
Advice & support included:
Get in touch to see how we could help you.
Montfort Consultants Ltd
86-90 Paul Street
3rd Floor
London
EC2A 4NE
Tel: 020 3667 7286
Email: info@montfortconsultants.com
Montfort Consultants Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales. Privacy | Contact us
Company No. 7521081 | VAT No. 108608225 | Registered address: 86-90 Paul Street, 3rd Floor, London EC2A 4NE