Penningtons’ new owners want the public to come and find Spalding’s best kept secret
The new owners of a town’s ‘best kept secret’ have spoken about their ambitions for the site as they look to grow its reputation further.
Chris and Helen Wheeler have taken on coffee shop Penningtons in Red Lion Street, Spalding — as well as the sister Flowers n Things site — following the retirement of the previous proprietors Jane Fletcher and Anna Avery.
The quaint shop has long been a popular fixture in the town centre with its history dating back years, and since being established as a coffee shop in 2004 the familiar team of staff will be staying on under their new management.
Mr Wheeler said: “We want to help people discover Spalding’s best kept secret as so many people tell us they didn’t know we were here.
“We want to make it a destination for shoppers who can get a coffee, cake and conversation.
“We think it is a little gem and have an established team of staff and regulars and we want that to continue.”
The couple, who live in Gosberton, took over the premises at the beginning of July and are open for business selling hot drinks, cakes and sandwiches.
Mr Wheeler also runs a security firm and the couple were looking for their next venture and keen to run a coffee shop.
He said: “We want to let people know we are here and to come and find us.
The name of the shop dates back to 1850 when Charles Pennington opened a dressmaker’s shop.
Suppliers in the area are the focus of the business including Two Chimps coffee in Oakham.
Mr Wheeler said: “We want to be as sustainable as possible as practically as we can.
“We source bread locally and use local produce and all our flower stocks are local.
“The bespoke gifts are still here which are a massive feature of the business and people have got a bit of choice.’
Intending to make improvements to the already established reputation, Mr Wheeler has introduced some ideas.
He said: “We have cakes, scones, teacakes and our afternoon tea will be the best in Lincolnshire.
“We will have a new menu with a kids munch box and we had BLTs on the menu that sold out.
“We like to say ‘if you haven’t eaten at Penningtons, where have you been?’. It is onwards and upwards.”
Visit Penningtons Coffee Shop on Facebook to find out more about the menu and what’s on offer.
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