A WARM welcome is awaiting customers at a new cafe and B&B that has opened its doors in Gainford.
Mother and daughter duo Dawn Wilson and Chloe Wright are the hosts at Winstonberry, which opened on High Green last month. The pair have worked tirelessly over the past two months to breathe new life into the 18th century Georgian townhouse – the former home of The Laurels Coffee Shop.
Ms Wright said: “We are really pleased with it all. We have hit the ground running. It has been really good.
“We have had lots of positive responses.
“So many people are pleased to see a coffee shop back in the village.”
The cafe offers everything from cooked breakfasts, light lunches, homemade cakes to scones and artisan breads. Dietary needs are catered for with gluten-free bread for sandwiches and gluten-free tray bakes. The cafe also offers Brymor ice-cream, as well as serving up Ringtons tea and coffee.
Ms Wright said: “When we first opened we had a basic menu. Now we have developed it to suit what people wanted. We are still happy to tweak it and we are still in the process of getting the right suppliers.
“We are trying to give people something really nice and something a little bit different.
“We are really feeling our way, seeing what people like and taking it from there.”
The pair have now applied for a premises licence to sell alcohol.
Ms Wilson said: “We’ve applied for a licence so that our customers can come and enjoy a craft beer or glass of sparkling wine with their lunch or afternoon tea. We’d like to serve warming winter drinks which are very popular in Europe. It is just a little extra something.”
The menu also caters for dogs which are welcome at the cafe. Frozen yoghurt called Frozzy’s, which is suitable for canine customers, is available.
Ms Wilson said: “We offer something for everyone. There is a vegetarian selection on the menu and we are doing vegan as well.
“It has been really well received. We have had some excellent feedback.”
There is a gift shop and upstairs three of the property’s four bedrooms have been turned into boutique B&B accommodation.
There is also a communal kitchen, lounge area and shared bathroom facilities.
Ms Wright said: “We are both really enjoying it but it is hard work. At the minute it is 24/7.”
Ms Wilson added: “It is looking promising. We just need to get the word out a bit more and build on it now.”
The cafe and B&B is open every day.
