One of the oldest buildings in the south of the island is set to open its doors to the public next week (May 8), housing a café by day and a cocktail bar by night, as well as restaurants over two floors, a patio garden area, and a farm shop.
‘Kellas’ in Port St Mary – formerly known as Manxonia House – was originally built as a boys’ school in the 1800s and has undergone a multimillion-pound restoration to bring the property back to life.
As a hardcore northerner, I’ve always thought the south was a land far far away with little else to offer other than Port Erin Beach and a fun filled booze train. How wrong I was.
Is the south… the place to be?
As much as it pains me to admit, the south is fairly glorious, and with the offering of Kellas, even more so.
I was lucky enough to go and have a sneak peak around the new establishment last week, and truthfully, it made me question as to whether the south may actually be the place to be.
Most refurbishments or new buildings feel somewhat clinical; Kellas couldn’t be further from that.
It has the feel that it’s always been there, in that form, offering those services – like a well oiled machine.
I loved the stunning views from the garden and the upstairs dining area; picture this… you’re lapping it up in Bali, drink in hand and admiring views from an infinity pool – Well, it gives off the same sort of aura as you gaze onto Port St Mary Bay.
The attention to detail in every aspect (the toilets, which you heard here first, are the fanciest toilets on island) is an absolute testament to Becki Gelling and her incredible team.
Kellas
In its new guise, the multifaceted venue will be serving main meals, hot drinks, pastries and cocktails, as well as selling locally sourced produce.
In coming months, it will expand into offering evening meals and afternoon teas.
Kellas is now home to a 20-seater tearoom, a 34-seater restaurant, a 30-seater garden room overlooking the bay, a 16-seater mezzanine lounge area, and a 24-seater private dining room called ‘The Manxonia Suite’.
The venue also boasts a farm shop called ‘The Pantry’, selling locally sourced produce, which, as a MASSIVE supporter of local agriculture and produce, really sealed the deal for me.
Local business
Becki Gelling, founder of Kellas, who has led the project with her auntie Amanda Dixon, said: “It’s amazing to be finally opening the doors to the public and showing the world the hard work we’ve done to transform Manxonia House into Kellas.
“It’s been a long journey to get to this point, and we couldn’t have done it without the amazing work of our local partners, especially Kneen Construction Ltd who have led on the renovation, and Cubbin & Bregazzi who have created such an incredible space for us with their interior design services.
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming our first customers in the coming days and to seeing people soaking up not only our fabulous food and drink, but the amazing heritage and very special feel that this building has to it – it truly is a unique place that we’re confident will put Port St Mary on the map.”
I, for one, will certainly be getting my passport out to make the trip from the northern barracks to down south, so I can enjoy all of the Kellas offerings.
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