New tea room opens in Reepham

A new tea parlour has opened in Reepham at Hampton’s Home & Garden on Norwich Road.
 
Around 60 people enjoyed a selection of food and drinks on the first day of trading on Monday, 14 January.
 
Proprietor Annie Benton, who launched the interiors and gift shop in Beaver House in September 2011 to sell an eclectic mix of “beautiful things for the home and garden”, said she wanted to open a traditional tea room.
 
“We aim to cater to a different market compared with other establishments in the area,” she said. “It will offer a ‘step back in time’ to a very traditional way of enjoying afternoon tea. And by being different we will definitely add to the mix of businesses in Reepham.”
 

Hampton’s Tea Parlour is open from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday

 
After many months of planning and preparation, Hampton’s Tea Parlour is now housed in an extension to the rear of the property – a Grade II listed building – providing jobs to three local people: one full-time and two part-time.
 
An existing outhouse has been converted to a kitchen, while the tastefully decorated interior offers spacious yet cosy dining. Use of the garden and inner courtyard in the warmer months will provide seating for a maximum of 30 people.
 
Despite some local opposition during the planning process, Mrs Benton, who has six years’ training in interior design, garden history and design, and floristry, as well as a Fine Arts degree, has no doubt that this venture will succeed, pointing out that Reepham once had four coffee shops in the town.
 
Although the new tea room opened quietly during wintery weather in January, there are plans to hold an official opening later in the year. “This first week has been useful to sort out a few minor teething problems, which have been quickly overcome,” Mrs Benton admitted.
 
Hampton’s Tea Parlour is open from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday, matching the opening hours of the shop. However, there are no plans to open in the evening or on Sunday, she said.
 
The tea room offers a simple selection of toasted muffins, croissants, light dishes and baps, as well as traditional afternoon tea and cream tea. All sandwiches are made to order, with cakes and scones made daily on the premises.
 
Brunch is served from 11.30 am to 2 pm, with a daily specials board offering a varying selection of tempting treats. Beverages include tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cold drinks, beer, wine and champagne.
 
And for the more indulgent or for those special occasions, a “pink champagne afternoon tea” is available – a real must for “girly” days out.
 

Staff at Hampton’s Home and Garden and Tea Parlour (left to right): Angela Nelson, Annie Benton and Suzanne Stainton

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