Prison caters for latte set

by Kevin Clare

April 14, 2008

THE former Fremantle Prison is set to build a new cafe within its limestone walls, at a cost of $600,000.

The cafe will be situated where the Fremantle Prison Visitor Centre used to be. Fittingly, the visitor centre will move to the site of the contact visits area, where prisoners were allowed contact with visitors when the prison was still operational.

Prison marketing manager Paula Nelson said the cafe would be a basic facility, central to prison tours. There is also a proposal, yet to be put to Fremantle council, for public art to be displayed in the prison.

Prison executive manager, Bevan Beaver, said the cafe would maintain the culinary status quo.

“Visitors to the prison can expect food, drink, and service comparable to the high standard currently offered by the prison,” Mr Beaver said.

Mr Beaver’s comment accorded with expectations of prison visitors.

John, from New Zealand, who’d visited the prison numerous times over the years, said: “I expect a good variety of products at a reasonable price and a decent outdoor seating area because of the lovely weather.”

Angie, from Victoria, said: “The prison will have to build the cafe along guidelines, they cannot just construct things ‘willy nilly’ and disregard the heritage.”

However, Mr Beaver assured the cafe was not considered all works undertaken would “comply with heritage values”.