THE famous Brighton Dome will finally reopen later this month to offer delicious food and drinks.

The Church Street landmark has been closed since March due to coronavirus restrictions.

But on September 15 its foyer will reopen as a cafe operated by disability charity Team Domenica, which provides work-based training for people with learning disabilities.

The cafe will serve meals including sourdough and ciabatta sandwiches and homemade soup.

Team Domenica founder Rosa Monckton said the new cafe will offer crucial opportunities to their candidates as the charity’s two Brighton branches have had to reduce their opening hours due to social distancing rules.

“The café will be a perfect training facility for our candidates and we are grateful to be able to use the space to increase the enrichment opportunities which are a crucial part of their personal development programme,” she said.

“Brighton Dome has been connected to the community for more than 200 years and our goal is for our candidates to be totally integrated with the local community.

“This partnership will enable us to reinforce these values and we thank Brighton Dome for their support and enthusiasm.

“We look forward to welcoming our regular customers and new visitors into this special place.

“Our candidates and staff are hugely excited to be starting up a new venture at such an iconic venue.”

Cafe Domenica in the Dome will serve a selection of hot and cold breakfasts, lunches, cakes and drinks.

That includes coffee made with Team Domenica’s own blend supplied by popular Brighton coffee shop Redroaster.

Dishes on offer will include spinach, feta and walnut tart and yoghurt topped with sliced banana, toasted seeds and honey.

Chutney and preserves made by the charity’s candidates will be available to take away.

Profits from cafe sales go towards supporting the work of the charity.

Olivia Gordon, who will be training at the cafe, said she is “really really excited” for its opening.

“I love being at the Dome,” she said.

“I did my work placement and ushering there and can’t wait to go back and work in the Team Domenica Café.”

Additional cleaning and social distancing will be in place at the cafe to protect staff and customers.

Dome chief executive Andrew Comben said the cafe’s opening is a “positive first step” to welcoming visitors into the venue.

“We are delighted to be able to open our doors again to support Team Domenica’s valuable work,” he said.

“Brighton Dome exists for people to enjoy themselves and this is a positive first step to welcoming visitors into the venue as we start to plan bringing live events back to the heart of the city.

“Our staff look forward to working with Team Domenica candidates on developing their skills to create positive outcomes for their future careers.”

Cafe Domenica at Brighton Dome opens from Tuesday, September 15.

It will open at 9am and close at 4pm from Tuesday to Friday.

Team Domenica was founded by jewellery businesswoman and charity campaigner Ms Monckton to help young adults with learning disabilities to find employment.

The charity is named after her daughter Domenica who has Down’s syndrome.