Kellas is Coming!

Port St Mary’s Manxonia House is set to reopen next month, housing a café, a cocktail bar, a restaurant, a garden area and a farm shop.

The opening follows a multimillion-pound restoration project to bring the property back to life.

Manxonia House, originally built as a boys’ school in the 1800s, will reopen in May as Kellas, offering meals, afternoon teas, hot drinks, pastries and cocktails, as well as selling locally sourced and homemade produce.

The building now boasts 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’.

Once open, Kellas will also be home to a farm shop called The Pantry selling a variety of local and homemade produce.

Becki Gelling, who is behind the project with her auntie Amanda Dixon, said: ‘We’re so excited to be just weeks away from opening Kellas in Port St Mary and revealing the results of all the hard work that’s gone into bringing the building back to life – it’s been a real labour of love over the last four years.

An artist’s impression of Kellas

‘Our amazing team of expert developers have really captured the essence of the building, turning it into a warm, welcoming space that celebrates its heritage and its legacy, preserving the amazing original features of the property while creating a destination eatery, event venue and farm shop for people across the island to visit.’

The property’s development has been led by local contractors Kneen Construction Ltd, with the interior design by Douglas-based Cubbon & Bregazzi.

Becki added: ‘It’s been great working alongside some of the island’s best contractors and suppliers throughout this process.

‘From day one we’ve had a shared passion to provide the local community with a friendly and relaxing space where people can spend time with loved ones, make memories and enjoy great food and drink together – and I’m confident we’ve achieved this with Kellas.

‘We can’t wait to welcome our first customers very soon!’