The McIntyre Centre in Bishop Auckland is a welcoming and vibrant community hub, offering a wide range of learning, training, and support services for local residents
Designed to provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, the centre hosts educational programmes, skills workshops, and community activities that help individuals grow, connect, and thrive
With its friendly atmosphere and commitment to inclusion, the McIntyre Centre is at the heart of Bishop Auckland’s drive to empower its community and create brighter futures. During Bishop Auckland Festival the Cafe will offer a host of delicious dishes, including, their prize winning pie and on Sunday their afternoon tea.
We are open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM, closed on Sundays and Mondays.
The opening times for the MacIntyre Centre on April 18th & 19th are extended hours and as follows:
Breakfast – 9:00am-11:30am for breakfasts both days,
Prize winning pies will be served from 12-7pm.
To book for afternoon tea, can you please call 01388 825825 to book your table.
Breakfast at The McIntyre Centre
Start your festival weekend the right way! The McIntyre Centre will also be serving breakfast on both Saturday and Sunday mornings… the perfect way to fuel up before a day of food, fun, and festivities.
Booking is optional, but please do let us know if you’re planning to come with a large party so we can make sure you’re well looked after.
Afternoon Tea at The McIntyre Centre
The McIntyre Centre will be hosting a delightful afternoon tea from 1pm–3pm on Sunday 19 April, offering a tempting selection of handcrafted sweet and savoury treats.
Indulge in rich, fudgy chocolate brownies, buttery millionaire shortbread layered with smooth caramel and chocolate, classic Victoria sponge with fluffy buttercream and jam, and a creamy Biscoff cheesecake on a crisp biscuit base. The savoury selection includes golden homemade cheese scones, flaky sausage rolls, and traditional Quiche Lorraine with smoky bacon and Gruyère, plus freshly made finger sandwiches — ham and pease pudding, tuna and cucumber, egg mayonnaise, and classic cheese savoury.
Perfect for catching up with friends, celebrating, or simply taking a well-earned break from the festival, this afternoon tea is available for £15 per person, or £20 per person including a glass of Prosecco.
Pie Competition – Now Closed.
Love a good pie? We do too, and we think Bishop Auckland deserves one to call its own! We invited budding bakers, foodies, and creative cooks to submit their ideas for a truly local pie that captures the flavours, spirit, and personality of our area.
Entrants shared their pie name, ingredients, recipe, and why it represents Bishop Auckland, and we whittled the entries down to our favourites. The shortlisted pies will be cooked at the McIntyre Centre and judged on Thursday 19 March, with one lucky creation crowned the winner.
The winner will be announced the following week, when the McIntyre Centre café menu will also be updated to include the winning pie. Visitors will then be able to purchase and enjoy the final creation during the Bishop Auckland Food Festival weekend.
About the McIntyre Centre
The McIntyre Centre in Bishop Auckland is a vibrant hub for skills development, employment opportunities, and community engagement. The building itself has a rich history. Formerly a footwear and leather shop that served the town for nearly 150 years, it has now been given a new lease of life as a digital training and enterprise hub for Bishop Auckland College following an investment of over £1 million.
Led by Bishop Auckland College, this Grade II listed building has been transformed into a state-of-the-art training space, offering real-world experience for catering students in its on-site café and restaurant. Under the guidance of professional chefs, students gain hands-on hospitality training, developing the skills needed for careers in the food, tourism, and hospitality industries.
The centre also features modern training rooms and bespoke courses, helping individuals and businesses enhance their skills and career prospects. The McIntyre Centre also works closely with the Job Centre, providing essential training and skill-building opportunities to support local residents in gaining employment and improving career prospects.
Beyond hospitality training, the McIntyre Centre supports employability and workforce development, hosting the Springboard to Employment Scheme in partnership with the Stronger Towns Fund, North East Combined Authority, and Bishop Auckland Town Council. By bridging the gap between education and employment, the centre plays a key role in helping people build careers in a range of industries. Whether you’re looking to train, upskill, or simply enjoy great food, the McIntyre Centre is a space for opportunity and growth.
To book, please call the café on 01388 825825
