Before we had a national health service, there was a national restaurant service. Explore an exhibition uncovering the history and future of public diners at the Carnegie Library in Ayr.

In the UK, we have public healthcare, public transport, public libraries — even public Wi-Fi. So why not public diners?

Public diners are state-supported restaurants that sit alongside other core public infrastructure. They’re everyday eating places serving good food at affordable prices.
During the Second World War and into the 1960s, the UK had a national network of over 2,000 public diners. Around the world today, governments are investing in their own versions of public diners.

Created by Nourish Scotland and 60 community researchers, this exhibition explores the forgotten history and potential future of public diners. At a time of rising food costs and hectic modern lives, could public diners make a comeback and be a solution we all crave?

Free, drop-in exhibition | Suitable for families

Opening hours
Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 9am – 5pm
Tuesday: 9am – 7pm
Thursday: 10am – 7pm