Gavin and Penny Wilcock said they closed the Fremantle Arts Centre cafe and Fremantle Leisure Centre kiosk on 15 February 2025 for financial reasons. Gavin Wilcock linked the decision to rising wholesale costs and difficult customer conversations about prices, including a pastry increase of about 20 cents. The City of Fremantle gave a different account of the support and negotiations offered before the closure.
Why did the Fremantle Arts Centre cafe close?
In an interview published by PerthNow on 20 February 2025, Gavin Wilcock said the decision was financial. He attributed pressure on the business to rising wholesale ingredient costs and said the price of pastries had increased by about 20 cents in December. He also said he expected customers to resist a small coffee priced at $5.50, which he considered necessary to keep the business afloat.
Wilcock described staff conversations with customers as uncomfortable, saying they “should not have to deal with that.” The headline characterization of customers “abusing” staff reflects his account; the available reporting does not independently establish the number or circumstances of any such incidents. Nor does it show that the pastry increase alone caused the closure. The figures and explanation are the operator’s account, not an audited financial record.
What did the City of Fremantle say?
The City said it received short notice, tried to negotiate an arrangement that would allow the operator to remain, and could not reach an appropriate agreement. It also said the Wilcocks were still within a rent-free period and had received additional offers of support. Those points were reported in a City of Fremantle statement.
#1 Best Overall
- ONE TOUCH BREW: With a single press of a button and in less than 90 seconds, this automatic espresso machine dispenses Espresso, Americano, Lungo, My Cup or Hot Water. My Cup is set to ristretto and can be adjusted to a favorite espresso recipe via the SmartHQ app.
- WIFI CONNECTED WITH DRINK CUSTOMIZATION TECHNOLOGY: Equip your kitchen with a smart espresso machine that syncs with the SmartHQ app, allowing users to customize drink preferences by volume and strength, while also enabling software updates.
- BALANCED EXTRACTION: Beans are pre-infused with low pressure to gently bloom optimal flavor profiles and gradually increased to 20 bars of high rated pump pressure to ensure even extraction for a balanced tasting cup.
- BUILT-IN CONICAL BURR GRINDER & ADJUSTABLE GRIND SIZE: The stainless steel conical burr grinder delivers a consistent grind with any bean roast. Plus, you can control your grind size with 5 levels ranging from coarsest to finest for ideal taste and aroma extraction.
- STEAM FROTHER & FROTHING PITCHER: The built-in foam technology creates a variety of textures: airy for cappuccino, denser for latte macchiato and more. The wand rotates to the right at 90 degrees for control and convenience. Included with the machine, a durable stainless steel frothing pitcher has 15.8 ounces of capacity and liquid measurement engravings on the inside.
Wilcock disputed the City’s account. He said the weekly amount proposed was unattainable and that there had not been meaningful negotiation, according to PerthNow. The public accounts therefore differ on what support was offered and how negotiations unfolded; the available reporting does not resolve that disagreement.
When did both venues close, and what followed?
The Arts Centre cafe and Leisure Centre kiosk both stopped operating on 15 February 2025. PerthNow reported the decision followed a meeting with City officials two days earlier. The City’s statement said the operator would cease operations the following day, a Saturday, and that it was seeking temporary local operators.
Rank #2
- ONE TOUCH BREW: With a single press of a button and in less than 90 seconds, this automatic espresso machine dispenses Espresso, Americano, Lungo, My Cup or Hot Water. My Cup is set to ristretto and can be adjusted to a favorite espresso recipe via the SmartHQ app.
- WIFI CONNECTED WITH DRINK CUSTOMIZATION TECHNOLOGY: Equip your kitchen with a smart espresso machine that syncs with the SmartHQ app, allowing users to customize drink preferences by volume and strength, while also enabling software updates
- BALANCED EXTRACTION - Beans are pre-infused with low pressure to gently bloom optimal flavor profiles and gradually increased to 20 bars of high rated pump pressure to ensure even extraction for a balanced tasting cup
- BUILT-IN CONICAL BURR GRINDER & ADJUSTABLE GRIND SIZE - The stainless steel conical burr grinder delivers a consistent grind with any bean roast. Plus, you can control your grind size with 5 levels ranging from coarsest to finest for ideal taste and aroma extraction.
- STEAM FROTHER & FROTHING PITCHER - The built-in foam technology creates a variety of textures: airy for cappuccino, denser for latte macchiato and more. The wand rotates to the right at 90 degrees for control and convenience. Included with the machine, a durable stainless steel frothing pitcher has 15.8 ounces of capacity and liquid measurement engravings on the inside.
The Wilcocks, who owned G.A.P Kitchen catering, took over the Arts Centre cafe lease in October 2023. PerthNow reported that the cafe had previously operated as Canvas for 11 years before closing in 2022, then remained vacant for 13 months before the Wilcocks began operating it. These are reported business-history details, not independently audited figures.
PerthNow also reported that Gavin Wilcock had worked as an executive chef at Fremantle’s Esplanade Hotel and as an executive chef and director of food and beverage with InterContinental Hotels Group. After the closure, he said staff moved into new positions and remaining food and beverages were donated to St Pat’s Fremantle.
Rank #3
- Make Your Favorite Espresso Coffee At Home: The CASABREWS coffee machine with milk frother allows you to prepare all your favorite espresso-based coffees. You can enjoy a barista-brewed latte, cappuccino or macchiato at home. Stainless steel appearance, stylish and durable, ideal for any size kitchen. This compact espresso coffee maker is perfect for home or office use
- Professional 20 Bar Pressure System: Semi-Automatic 2-in-1 Espresso Maker, with 20 bar professional Italian pump and 1350 W powerful boiler. This latte machine gives you top quality extraction, resulting in a more fragrant and rich aroma. The built-in pressure gauge on this cappuccino machine shows the exact pressure helping you make adjustments according to your personal taste preferences. You can create a cappuccino, latte or flat white at your home or office with our cappuccino maker
- Milk Frothing System: Our espresso machine with milk frother has a powerful steam wand, so you can texture creamy, rich microfoam milk to create amazing milk foam art and enhance the flavor of your brews. Awaken your inner barista and create your own unique milk foam art. Don't pass us by if you are looking for an excellent espresso coffee maker
- Compact, Stylish & Practical: The beautiful and compact design makes this small espresso machine suitable for any size kitchen. Make single or double espresso shots with a beautiful layer of crema in minutes! The 34 oz water tank allows you to brew multiple cups, and it is detachable for easy refilling. Included components: Espresso Machine, 34 oz Removable Water Tank, One Cup Brewing Filter, Two Cup Brewing Filter, Portafilter, Tamper With Spoon, Instruction Manual
- Useful Tips: Please kindly note that do not brew coffee immediately after frothing milk. The machine must cool down first otherwise the temperature and the pressure inside the machine will be too high, and the machine will go into over-heating protection mode. The lights for 1 cup or 2 cup will flash repeatedly and please follow the steps of included guide to cool down the machine. You can watch more INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO by clicking Visit the CASABREWS Store
Is there a cafe at Fremantle Arts Centre now?
The February 2025 closure was not a permanent statement that the site would have no cafe. In April 2025, PerthNow reported that the City had a preferred lessee and lease negotiations were underway, but the report did not identify the prospective operator or establish whether the discussions concerned a temporary operator or a long-term tenant.
The current Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre cafe listing names Plated Café and lists hours of 8am–3pm, with the kitchen closing at 2pm. Check the listing before visiting, since venue hours and operators can change.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Make Your Favorite Espresso Coffee At Home: The CASABREWS coffee machine with milk frother allows you to prepare all your favorite espresso-based coffees. You can enjoy a barista-brewed latte, cappuccino or macchiato at home. Stainless steel appearance, stylish and durable, ideal for any size kitchen. This compact espresso machine is perfect for home or office use
- Professional 20-Bar Pressure System: A semi-Automatic 2-in-1 Espresso Maker with a 20 bar professional pump and a 1350 W powerful heating system. This 20 bar pressure espresso maker gives you a top quality extraction, resulting in a more fragrant and richer aroma in your coffee. You can create a cappuccino, latte or flat white at home or in the office with our stainless steel espresso maker
- Milk Frothing System: Our espresso machine with milk frother has a powerful steam wand that creates a creamy and rich micro-foam milk texture to enhance the flavor of the coffee and enable the creation of latte art. Awaken your inner barista and create your own unique milk foam art with our espresso machine. This compact espresso machine is perfect for latte, cappuccino or macchiato. If you are trying to find an excellent espresso coffee maker, look no further
- Compact, Stylish & Practical: The compact design makes this espresso coffee machine suitable for a kitchen of any sizes. The 43.9 oz water tank allows you to brew multiple cups of coffee without a refill, and it is detachable for easy refilling. The drip tray can be easily removed to clean. This home espresso machine comes with everything a coffee lover needs to get started. What’s included: Espresso Machine, 43.9 oz Removable Water Tank, One Cup Brewing Filter, Two Cup Brewing Filter, Portafilter, Tamper With Spoon, Instruction Manual
- Using Tips: Please remove the rubber plug at the bottom of the water tank and make “First use cycle” for this espresso machine when you use it for the first time. Please follow the steps in the user guide. Please note that there are many instructional videos on the USER GUIDE of CASABREWS store
Rank #4
- MANUAL HAND-TEXTURED MICROFOAM: The powerful steam wand on this cappuccino maker and latte machine is designed to quickly turn milk into smooth, flavorful microfoam for creating latte art at home
- PRECISE DOSE GRINDING: Integrated precision conical burr grinder on bean-to-cup espresso machine grinds on demand to deliver correct amount of freshly ground coffee directly into portafilter for your preferred taste with any roast of bean
- WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and draws out all the flavors evenly during the extraction for a balanced-tasting espresso, latte or cappuccino
- RECEIVE 2 FREE BAGS OF SPECIALTY COFFEE: Included when you purchase and register any Breville coffee machine; T&Cs apply
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Digital temperature regulation (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, so espresso coffee maker allows for precise espresso extraction
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
