The Ashmolean Cafe, located on the lower ground floor of the Oxford museum, has been given a full refurbishment and menu update, while local coffee company, Horsebox Coffee Co has now installed a pop-up coffee shop on the historic forecourt outside.
Sustainability has been foremost in the mind of the new designers, seating and furniture being refurbished and eco-paint used in calming colours based on the Ashmolean’s collections.
Beautiful prints from the Ashmolean collection now adorn the walls, while lightboxes and panelling will help reduce the amount of noise in the cafe, to make it more user-friendly.
“It has been very exciting to breathe new life into our much loved cafe. The space feels so much fresher and brighter, and brings the beautiful and intriguing items from The Ashmolean collections to life,” says Anna Munday, Ashmolean Head of Events and Catering.
The cafe’s menu has also been given a makeover, (created with Ashmolean’s catering partner Benugo) the new deli menu now including weekly rotating seasonal salads, open sandwiches and a hot food offering using local ingredients, such as the Oxford Blue and broccoli frittata.
“It has been exciting to work on the updated food and drink offering and its focus on sustainability, so I really hope locals and visitors alike enjoy spending time in the cafe,” Anna adds.
The Ashmolean Museum has also welcomed sustainable local coffee company The Horsebox Coffee Co to its forecourt. Open every day, the restored 2CV van serves up small batch, ethically sourced specialty coffee produced by sister company, Dark Horse Roastery, alongside organic teas, cold drinks and fresh bakes.
Fitting perfectly with the sustainable ethos, Horsebox Coffee Co‘s signature blend is created from two co-operatives of small holder farmers in Guatemala and Honduras, served in 100% compostable and plastic free packaging.
Dark Horse Roastery and Horsebox Coffee Co. Founder, Emily, sees this Eco Friendly pop up coffee shop as a community meeting place and educational experience on sustainability throughout the coffee supply chain and within caf̩ culture Рsomething the Ashmolean fully support.
“We are delighted our sustainable pop up coffee shop has been given the opportunity to take over this unused space in such a renowned, unique cultural destination,” Horsebox Coffee Co’s founders say.
Both are open daily from 10-5pm and every purchase from the cafe contributes to the upkeep of the Ashmolean Museum. http://www.ashmolean.org/café-and-restaurant
