Newly refurnished The Front opens at Lyneham shops

The Front at Lyneham shops is almost back in business, with a new team injecting plenty of new life into the joint, with a firm nod to its predecessor.

Original owner, artist Paul Jamieson, ran The Front Gallery and Cafe for 12 years before closing in February this year. He's now handed over the reigns to new owners Blake Proberts (partner in Two Before Ten), Max Owens (former manager at Cupping Room), and Nicky Kim (previous sous chef at Highroad).

When they heard Paul was selling the venue, the trio thought it was an opportunity they couldn't pass up.

The new iteration is a breakfast and lunch spot (they'll add dinner down the track). They've kept the art gallery and have plenty of plans for gigs and events similar to what earnt its predecessor a cult following.

Proberts said the new Front is, "quite different, but it's also quite the same".

"We've kept the name and we tried to keep the soul of the venue but sort of put our take and spin on it," he said.

"All of our backgrounds are more or less modern cafes, so we've tried to make it a modern cafe with our own take on it, but we don't want to lose the art, we don't want to lose the vibe or the gigs and that's all the stuff that came with The Front and that's why it was so appealling."

The space has been given a freshen up, and the main change is the kitchen which has been doubled in size and opened up. The gallery space remains with a rotating collection of pieces by local artists on show, but it also now doubles as an extended dining space.

But for former regulars, there is still plenty of old The Front there - the layout is largely the same, and the floor is original, as is the A-frame sign out the front. Even the old tables, made by former owner Paul, have been given a clean (with plenty of chewing gum underneath scraped off) and will be used in the two outdoor dining spaces.

The 'same, but different' vibe carries across all areas of the new business. The menu will predominantly be and approachable mix of breakfast and lunch dishes with something to please everyone, plus a changing specials board which will offer more out-there options. The house coffee blend will be Two Before Ten, plus a guest rotating blend.

They plan to add dinner service in the coming months, and beers and wines will also be a mix of regulars and changing specials.

The Front is scheduled to open on Friday May 25.

The Front, 1 Wattle Pl, Lyneham. Open seven days for breakfast and lunch.