It took more than three years for the arts, conference and entertainment centre to have a permanent cafe.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council accepted a tender in November from Qsine which paved the way for the company to provide a range of food services from the Clarence Street centre.

Blank Canvas Cafe Bar opened last Friday on the ground floor of the Glasshouse.

The cafe is just one element of the hospitality business. There will be evening dining and a lounge bar on the mezzanine level in the coming months.

Pre-show dinners are planned to start next month.

Qsine will work with the Glasshouse team to elevate the venue for conferences and weddings.

Blank Canvas Cafe Bar employs about 10 people and staff numbers will grow as the business develops.

Alfresco dining, already a cafe feature, will spill out into the forecourt area down the track. Head chef Mitchall Adams has almost a decade of experience under his belt.

The award winning chef said they planned to match the food to suit Glasshouse events through initiatives such as theme nights.

“It is definitely booming and every day [client] numbers are growing,” he said about the cafe’s early days.

The business will also provide catering and support Glasshouse functions and event programs.

Qsine marketing manager Kelly King said the essence of the business was freshly prepared food, great coffee, great customer service and value for money. Mrs King said the Glasshouse had a unique presence in the town and the team hoped to bring a standard with a similar unique presence in terms of food and service. Council general manager Tony Hayward said the food business brought another scope to the building.