Sturmer Nurseries Garden Centre, just outside Haverhill in Suffolk, is using locally-sourced produce in its new tearoom.
Manager Samantha Morgan says: "All our bread is from a local bakery, our meat from Kedington Butchers and our barista coffees and teas specially prepared in Newmarket.
"We only use organic milk, free-range eggs, pole-and-line tuna, free-range meat, Fairtrade hot chocolate and Rainforest Alliance teas and coffees."
The tearoom has just opened in the eye-catching new shop at the family-owned garden centre, which has been operating for over 30 years.
"Our customers can start the day off with our bacon and sausage baps or wake up with one of our posh coffees," adds Samantha.
"The tearoom is also a great venue to meet up with friends for light lunches. And in the afternoon, our well-priced and delicious cakes and bakes and toasted teacakes will appeal to all.
"There’s a simple children’s menu and a play area – complete with Wendy house filled with toys."
Customers can wander around the garden centre with a takeaway coffee or ice-cream, pop in and leave with a bacon bap or sausage roll or simply sit outside among the flowers and enjoy a good gossip.
Home cooking is another feature of this establishment. "All our food is homemade and we have different cakes, savouries and traybakes on sale all the time – so every experience is a little different," explains Samantha.
The menu includes jacket potatoes, homemade quiche, vegetarian bakes, sausage rolls, soup and baguettes. There’s also a large array of sweet treats during the day – from loaf cakes to iced Victoria and ginger sponges.
Samantha says: "We will start doing paninis and cream teas – with our own freshly baked scones very soon. We’re building up the menu and listening to our customers. They have asked us for teacakes and gluten-free cakes and we’re happy to oblige."
The tearoom is open from 9.30am to 4.30pm every day except Thursdays. Sunday opening hours are 10am to 4pm.
For more information visit www.sturmernurseries.co.uk
Pictured: The team in the new tearoom at Sturmer Nurseries Garden Centre.
