In the 1900s the gorgeous art deco arches of The Ryder Seed Exhibition Hall hummed with the sound of Samuel Ryder’s seed business and 20 years ago they rang with the sound of regular jazz gigs.

Now home to Café Rouge, manager Katie Strelling is aiming to get the listed building, built in 1931, swinging again.

Her new venture, Lazy Jazz Sunday, will launch next week with a gig by The Graham Pike Trio on July 13 and Katie is keen to make the restaurant St Albans’ première jazz venue.

“The plan is to try and fill it out and bring it back at least once a month,” she says. “I remember seeing jazz here years ago when I was pregnant with my daughter, who is 16 this year.

“We already have live music here on Thursdays but I really think the whole building with its amazing acoustics is really jazzy and perfect for some more gigs.”

She has put a call out for local musicians to get in touch if they would like to play in the venue, which represents a vital part of the city’s history.

In the 1890s Samuel Ryder started a seed business in his garden shed at his home in Folly Lane, St Albans, selling seeds in penny packets. When the business expanded he moved to offices in Holywell Hill, built in 1911, and 20 years later the hall was added for displaying the company’s products, including plants grown from his seeds.

Mr Ryder went on to sponsor the Ryder Cup, a solid gold trophy for the biennial golf championship between the best of professional golfers in the USA and UK, and the hall went on to be part of the Post Office briefly before Café Rouge took it over in the 1990s.

Katie says it is known locally as a mini Crystal Palace and she is keen to see it live up to the moniker.

“Jazz was very much an element here many years ago and we are hoping to raise the jazz profile again and bring it to the audience of local St Albans residents.”

Café Rouge, Holywell Hill, St Albans, July 13, 12.30pm to 3pm. Details: 01727 832777