Barnby chapel in Suffolk revamped into café and gallery

After buying the chapel building in Barnby near Beccles in 2021, Mr Dale, 58, and his partner Jo Meloni, 52, are delighted to have transformed the derelict building into a cafe and art gallery.

The couple is eager for the building to be central to the community after Mr Dale replaced the roof while "breathing new life into the building".

Inside the café area at The Chapel (Image: Denise Bradley)

The Chapel art gallery and café at Barnby. (Image: Denise Bradley)

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Ms Meloni said: "Richard loves art, and as a local lad himself, was last in this building 25 years ago for his aunt's wake.

"And upon seeing it on the market he couldn't resist buying it as he loved it.

"It was a massive development project, the place was literally derelict and even needed a new roof.

"After Richard has stamped his mark on it he loves it even more, as do I.

"It was a great opportunity to open a gallery here, and with the coffee shop, they just complement each other ever so well."

Levi Sharman, barista at The Chapel art gallery and café at Barnby. (Image: Denise Bradley)

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The couple is focused on ensuring the building is central to the community as a hub for people of all ages to come and visit, offering hall hire opportunities also.

They have agreements in place with local schools and colleges to exhibit their pupils' and students' work in the hope of encouraging talent.

Victoria sponge at The Chapel art gallery and café at Barnby. (Image: Denise Bradley)
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Ms Meloni said: "We really want to give pupils in the community an opportunity to exhibit their work in a professional setting.

"Through working with the community we really hope to breathe new life into the building."

The chapel, which initially opened in 1892, closed at the end of 2014 and was put up for sale the following year.

Based in Barnby, the cafe and gallery is open Monday to Saturday for the public and on Sundays just for hall hire.

The seating area in The Chapel (Image: Denise Bradley)

Fruit scones at The Chapel art gallery and café at Barnby. (Image: Denise Bradley)

Jo Meloni, owner, in The Chapel art gallery and café at Barnby (Image: Denise Bradley)

Cupcakes The Chapel art gallery and café at Barnby. (Image: Denise Bradley)