Cafe at Unique Cottage Studios in Spalding is back open for business after being reopened by brother and sister duo

A brother and sister duo have re-opened a popular cafe in their latest joint venture after ‘falling in love’ with the site.

Vicky Hunter, 52, and David Ollie Shoulders, 44, decided to take on the new project after leaving The Bull pub in Market Deeping due to an expired lease.

The pair stumbled across Unique Cottage Studios – an arts and crafts facility on Fulney Lane South, Spalding, after searching for a place to call their own.

Vicky said: “We worked on the food side of the pub and when the lease was up, we did attempt to go for it but they wanted someone with more pub experience.

“When this place became available we came and viewed it and just fell in love with it. The grounds are lovely and it’s a really nice place - it’s just beautiful.

“After working in the pub for so long it is a bit different, but we’re just super excited to be here.”

The brother and sister duo re-opened the site on April 11 as ‘Ollie’s at Unique Cottage Studios and Cafe’, after the previous owners, who worked there for ten years, closed its doors before Christmas.

Vicky explained they decided to name the cafe Ollie’s, as she has always referred to David by his middle name. She added: “David has worked as a chef for over 20 years and I have experience in the food industry, so we were just looking for somewhere to call our own. I’m very laid back so we get on quite well really.

“After we first opened we did have quite a lot of customers. During the first three days we kept it quite low-key online, but we had around 50 people over those days which we were really pleased with.

“We are steadily seeing an increase in business now that people know we are open and it makes me feel excellent. When you take over a new business you are worrying if anyone will come, is anyone going to see us, will it be a success – but we are super excited but still a little bit nervous. “

The menu at the cafe includes sandwiches, a full English breakfast, homemade scones, quiches, soups and cakes. There will also be hot meals such as sausage and mash, ham, egg and chips and a vegetarian halloumi flatbread.

Vicky and David will also be catering for customers who are gluten free and vegan, with a selection of cakes, soups and bread available.

The cafe is open between 9am and 3pm from Tuesday-Saturday. The breakfast menu is served between 9am and 11.30am and lunch is available from 11.45am to 3pm.

Jacs Harris, who is an artist at Unique Cottage Studios welcomes the duo on site, she said: “As a studio member I would like to welcome Vicky and David, as well as welcoming our regulars back to the cafe and I hope to see some new people come here too.

“They complement the studio and have helped everyone here, as people who come to visit us on site can now find out about the arts and crafts we do alongside the cafe.”

The arts and crafts facility offers a range of pottery workshops and courses such as painting, drawing, textiles and more.

For more information and to book an art workshop, visit the Unique Cottage Studios and Cafe website.

If you are interested in booking a table call 01775 766698 or email ollies.2023@gmail.com.