The Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art has been granted permission for a cafe and gift shop.

Planning officers have approved 'change of use' for the Rose Garden Gallery room to be turned into a coffee and souvenir shop, and for a basement water tank to be used as a meeting room/study.

The museum recently opened in the former Arrowroot Factory, a Grade One listed building, at the Botanical Gardens. Although the National Parks Commission objected to the 'change of use', expressing concern at potential "expansion of use into the (rose) Garden", the Development Applications Board concluded: "This application does not seek Planning approval for use of the Rose Garden so the comments from the Parks Commission were not considered."

In a letter to Planning, Elise Outerbridge of the Masterworks Museum said: "Please be assured that we are well aware of the parameters of use of the Rose Garden and would never encroach on the garden as per our original agreement with Camden."

She said that when the cafe was open, "the French doors will be bolted and we will utilise the tables and chairs in front of the museum".

The Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art opened in February in a split-level gallery, complete with curving staircase and wooden floors. The museum houses art by renowned artists such as Homer, Pleisner, Senat, O'Keefe and Gleizes, and also has space to exhibit local artists' work.

For the past eight years, the Masterworks Foundation collection has been on tour in North America and the UK, biding its time until its permanent home was ready. The museum will bring everything together for the first time in Bermuda, with pieces exhibited in regular rotation.

The Masterworks Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays to Saturdays, and on Sundays by appointment. Admission is $5, but members and children under the age of two go free. For more information contact 236 2950 or log onto: www.bermudamasterworks.com.