Peyton and Byrne opens at IWM London following £40m revamp

Peyton and Byrne is readying to open its new contract with IWM London, part of the Imperial War Museums, following a four-year, £40m redevelopment of the historic site.

The company was awarded a seven-year deal last October to operate two new cafes in the revamped museum when it opens on Saturday (19 July). The museum's major makeover includes a brand new dramatic Atrium space designed by Foster + Partners.

The new 144-seat ground floor Café has an outdoor seasonal terrace overlooking the Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park with seating for a further 92. A second smaller Tea Room will be on the first floor of the museum, adjacent to new terraced galleries that rise up on either side of the 25-metre high Atrium.

Both cafes will open daily during museum hours, from 10am to 6pm, serving seasonal all-British menus. Healthy, fresh and family-friendly dishes, including sandwiches, salads and sourdough pizzas, will be on offer alongside cakes, tarts and other sweet treats. A broad list of tea, coffee and other refreshments will also be served at the historic museum.

Oliver Peyton, co-founder of Peyton and Byrne and winner of the Special Award at the 2014 Cateys, described IWM London as one of the country's "most inspiring museum treasures".

"Its permanent displays and new exhibitions are a tribute to and record of Britain and the Commonwealth's war efforts," he said. "It is a privilege to collaborate with the IWM's curators and members to launch Peyton and Byrne's own British style of food, drink and hospitality with our two new Cafés."

Meanwhile sister business Peyton Events will be responsible for organising receptions, meeting and dinners throughout IWM London for groups from 10-340, who can also take advantage of private tours of the temporary and permanent exhibitions at the museum.