A mum and daughter have joined forces to put their creative talents to good use at a new cafe. Keely Hemmings and her daughter Beth are behind the Oat Shed which will be opening in Kimberley next month.
The duo have taken over Farm Fresh Market, which was a farm shop combined with a cafe and deli in Main Street. The Oat Shed will offer brunch, cakes and coffee throughout the day. Thursday to Saturday evenings will be reserved for pop-ups showcasing the cuisine of local chefs.
The inspiration for the name? "I really love oat milk and the place looked like a shed when we took it over," said Beth, whose background is in marketing and project management. "The concept is bringing a slice of London up north, showcasing the local talent we have from bakers to chefs and giving them space to showcase their work on the high street."
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Times have never been harder for hospitality businesses, with rising energy costs, supply chain issues and staff shortages creating the 'perfect storm' but Beth said she and her mother, who has worked in HR and consulting, are "optimistic".
"It is scary but we'll be ok. It is a scary place to be in especially when it's a new concept but because there is that pre-existing client base there it's a little less scary as everyone has really bought into it. We have a relationship with the salon across the road and everyone who goes in is asking about it so we feel a lot of love from that sense. In terms of energy that's a different story."
Work is underway to overhaul the building in time for opening towards the end of October. Beth said: "We've ripped the whole place back to brick as the space didn't work for what we wanted and envisioned."
"The walls are being re-plastered, we've had new air con and new extraction for the kitchen. We want to make sure it's perfect from the start," added Beth, 24, about the property that was a Coral betting shop before it became Farm Fresh Market.
The cafe area will seat 38, plus room for more on bar stools. "Farm Fresh had a rustic farm vibe which was fine for them but we needed to go in and make some alternations and make it work for us. It will be really minimal, relaxing like a spa but a cafe.
"There will be lots of white rattan and oats. We're having flower boxes on two of the walls with oats sourced from Watnall Farm Shop. and wheat. We're, bringing a lot of local bits in," said Beth.
A chef will be hired to rustle up brunch while cakes will be supplied by the Priory Bakehouse, Beeston Brownies, Chrispies Bakes and Clemie's Vegan Cakes - all local to Nottingham. Pop-ups will be hosted on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The popular Incognito Club is one of the first to be booked in.
"It will be a variation of food with different people hosting different nights. You're not guaranteed to have a pop-up every week but it gives a lot of flexibility and a lot of variation for the customer. We don't really need to be opening in the evening in the cafe but we thought it would be lovely to transform that space into a casual, private dining."
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