Amanda Pratt no longer working on Bewley’s revamp

Speaking of the family that owns Avoca, I hear Amanda Pratt, who once ran the fashion and design side of the business, in no longer assisting the owners of Bewley's cafe on Grafton Street with their ongoing revamp of the iconic tea shop.

Pratt left Avoca towards the end of last year to pursue other interests. “I just want to do something different with the rest of my life,” she said at the time.

Shortly afterwards she popped up at Bewleys, which is owned by the Campbell Bewley group, founded by the businessman-turned-sculptor Paddy Campbell. The cafe closed its doors in February to allow for a major upgrade.

Bewleys Grafton Street is stuck on a sizeable boomtime rent. A revamp will give it a better chance of producing the sort of revenues needed to maintain its profitability, given its chunky cost base.

Pratt was brought on board to advise on the early stages of the project’s interior design but she is apparently no longer in the role.

De Blacam & Meagher architects are in charge of the overall cafe project. It could be open once more as soon as September, which should placate its legion of sentimental admirers.