Penningtons Coffee Shop in Spalding brings in new changes to broaden its appeal

A well-known coffee shop will bring in new changes to attract budding artists and younger customers to ensure its survival in a ‘struggling’ town.

The owners of Penningtons Coffee Shop on Red Lion Street, Spalding, are preparing to gradually introduce a line of handmade gifts and local craft products in March.

After taking over the longstanding business and its sister site, Flower n Things in July last year, Helen and Chris Wheeler, hope the changes will see their clientele grow.

Helen said: “We are hoping to attract young families and younger people.

“We have a lot of ideas for the gift area and we feel quite passionate to showcase local artists paintings and have various crafts which people have handmade for sale.

“This is the next progression for our business. After taking over the coffee shop and florist seven months ago, we have noticed a lot of our clientele are older people – there is nothing wrong with that and we want to keep our regular customers happy, but there is a lack of families who visit us on a regular basis.

“For a business like this to continue we’re going to have to bring in new customers. Spalding as a town is struggling, if we’re going to stay and not be one of the many businesses which are closing we’ve got to do different things and attract more people.”

Previous owners, Jane Fletcher and Anna Avery of Dandelion Spalding, continued to supply and manage the gifts for the coffee shop after passing on the baton of the business last year.

The sisters will be moving onto their next adventure from March 31. Chris and Helen hope their new approach will help up and coming artists showcase their work and offer new opportunities for local traders.

The couple want customers to appreciate their surroundings during their time at the coffee shop, and each seating area will be catered to the different artists from the area.

Helen added: “I think the art will add a nice atmosphere and it’s a good talking point. We’re hoping people will get a feel for each particular artists and we want to give the place a different look.

“We are all guilty of online shopping which has been the demise of high streets, but if we don’t do something that’s going to attract people, people will stop coming.”

The coffee shop will also be moving some of it’s seating, to make way for extra tables and chairs. Gift items are currently on sale to make way for the new changes.

If you would be interested in showcasing your work, message Penningtons Coffee Shop on Facebook or call 01775 233331.