A new business is thriving after a village in need of a café had two open within a matter of months. Located on the Nottinghamshire border, residents in Collingham, near Newark, are thrilled to welcome Beyond Coffee into the village, which is located in the unit next to the Lincolnshire Co-op - empty since the previous café closed years ago.
Towards the end of 2022 villagers were pleased to see Lulu's Kitchen open on the High Street, and now feel they are spoilt for choice with a second café in the growing village. Run by Lincolnshire friends and co-owners, Sam Cornford, 33, and Adam Jackson, 38, Beyond Coffee opened its doors for the first time on February 11, 2023.
Sam said: "We had a little place before in Fernwood and we did events and festivals as well, then this opportunity came up. We had already built up a bit of a customer base in Collingham, so we thought why not, let's give it a go.
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"It's been really in at the deep end from day one, but it's been a positive experience. We do hot drinks, cold drinks, cakes, bagels and sour doughs and salads and we will be adding to that more and more as we go on."
Beyond Coffee is open every day of the week, and is already proving popular with local residents and community groups. Sam explained that the café is in "a big space" but it means there's plenty of room for everyone.
He added: "The Co-op did a lot of the work on our behalf, then we got the keys in January. It took us a few weeks to put our touch on the place and to get it ready.
Adam described the experience as being "really good." When asked if if he felt the eaterie was becoming part of the community, he replied: "One hundred per cent, we are seeing regular people every day which is definitely good and we are getting lots of positive feedback from customers saying it's what the village needed."
One customer, Tracey Anscombe, 61, of Collingham, has already made multiple visits. She said: "It's lovely, I've been lots of times and I just think it's really nice. It's local to me and all the staff are really friendly."
Teaching assistants Nicola Maynard, 52, of Newark, and Angela Evison, 45, of Grantham, are also enjoying the new place. Nicola said: "It's nice and spacious, there's lots of chairs and you could still get more tables in over there. It's lovely."
Angela added: "It's very nice, and the prices are reasonable as well." A retired 64-year-old customer who did not wish to be named said: "This is my first visit and it's very nice, I think they have done it up wonderfully and I'm going to try the cakes."
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