Ozlem and Tamer Kamalak. Photo: submitted

The updated breakfast menu includes Turkish breakfast, granola bowls, full English, Eggs Benedict, pancakes and sourdough toast; for lunch there is a range of sandwiches, burgers and sourdough-base pizzas. There is also a children’s menu, a Light Bites section with smaller portions and a Soup & Salad category.

Tamer Kamalak, who took over the business in mid-May, said: “I changed the name to give the café a fresh identity and to reflect both the new menu and the welcoming atmosphere.

“The name was chosen because it is located at a crossroads in the town, symbolising a meeting point for all kinds of people in the community.”

The café caters for a range of dietary requirements, allergies and intolerances, and the menu includes vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

“We are also happy to adapt dishes where possible, and customers are encouraged to inform us of any allergies or dietary needs,” said Mr Kamalak. “Allergen information is available upon request.

“Most of our bread and pastries are handmade using long-fermentation methods, and we offer a variety of homemade cakes. In addition, we have a Chef’s Specials chalkboard offering lunch-style hot meals that change regularly. The drinks menu includes speciality coffees, teas and cold drinks.

“The café has a small step at the entrance, but we are always happy to assist customers with limited mobility. Inside, the layout is open and there is enough space to accommodate wheelchairs and prams. We aim to provide a welcoming and accessible environment for everyone.”

The new owner is a trained chef with a background in culinary arts. After years of working in restaurant kitchens and five-star hotel operations, he served as head chef at a sourdough bakery.

“Opening this café has been a long-standing dream – an opportunity to bring together my passion and experience in both cooking and dough-making,” Mr Kamalak continued.

“It’s also a lifestyle choice: after many years of working evening shifts, running a daytime café allows a better work-life balance and more time with family, while continuing to do what we love.

“Our aim is to make The Crossroad Café a unique local favourite – a place that offers handmade, high-quality food in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

“I am currently running the café on my own, but my wife, Özlem, will soon be joining me and we will continue this journey together. We have many ideas and plans for the future, but we will need a bit of time to develop them fully and move forward in the right way.

“One of our most immediate goals is to go beyond the breakfast, brunch and lunch menus and begin offering delicious, hearty main dishes under the Chef’s Specials section – proper meals that people will enjoy for lunch or dinner.

“While doing this, we aim to strike a balance between quality and price – never compromising on quality but keeping our prices as accessible as possible.”

The café is open Monday–Saturday from 8.30 am – 3.30 pm and on Wednesday (burgers), Friday and Saturday (fish and chips) from 5–8.30pm.

Contact: The Crossroad Café, Townsend Corner, Reepham. Tel: 01603 879300.

Top photo: Facebook

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Local resident Martin James, who founded Panther Brewery in 2010, following the closure of Reepham Brewery and renamed it after several alleged sightings of a large panther-like animal in the area, has decided to sell the business. After 15 successful years running the brewery, he is now keen to retire.

Mr James thanked the local community for their support over the years. “It has been a very enjoyable 15 years and we gained much pleasure in producing and distributing award-winning beer throughout East Anglia,” he said.

“The brewery occupies the oldest brewing site still in operation in Norfolk, which made it important to sell the business to a local businessperson who could take the brewery to a new level.

“The new owner, Ivan Browne, runs a successful business in Norwich – Walker Rubber, a specialist rubber products manufacturer based in Norwich.

“The good news is that he intends to continue to brew beer in Reepham for the foreseeable future.”

Mr Browne and the Panther team said they are excited about the future of the brewery and look forward to this new chapter and the continuing support of the local community.

The Panther Brewery shop at Unit 1, Collers Way, Reepham, will be open on Mondays and Fridays from 9–5 pm.

Pictured above: Ivan Browne (left), the new owner of Panther Brewery, and former owner Martin James. Photo: Panther Brewery

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“We just want to say a huge thank you to every single person who has supported us over the years,” the couple said.

“From your morning coffees to our busy takeaway evenings, we’ve loved every moment – getting to know you, hearing your stories and being part of your routines.

“It’s been more than just a business; it’s been a community and we’re so proud to have been part of it.

“To our loyal customers, friends and family: thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us build something truly special. We’re so grateful for the memories, the laughs and the kindness you’ve shown us.

“We’re excited for what’s next and wish the new owners all the best as they take over. Please continue to support them the way you supported us.”

The Crossroads Café is open Monday–Saturday from 8.30 am – 3.30 pm; Wednesday evenings from 5–8.30 pm for burgers, loaded fries, baguettes and wraps; and Friday and Saturday evenings from 5–8.30 pm for fish and chips.

See our earlier story:

• New management for café to establish own ‘brand’

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Celebrate Christmas in style at our magical shopping event on Wednesday 4 December from 1.30 pm in the prestigious Wolterton Hall, where you will find inspiration for truly special gifts.

Enjoy tea, mince pies and mulled wine during the afternoon or join us for a glass of bubbles and a selection of delicious canapes in the evening. With more than 25 stalls, there will be something for even the most discerning.

Following the huge success of our Christmas shopping event last year, Wolterton is preparing to sparkle with a wonderful selection of stalls selling all manner of fabulous goodies.

Staff will also be on hand to show visitors around and will be happy to explain the restoration to date and plans for the future.

Visitors arriving during the afternoon can enjoy tea and mince pies while exploring the reception rooms and shopping with some of the finest local producers and suppliers in Norfolk – we are sure you will find it totally inspiring.

Evening visitors will enjoy a glass of English sparkling wine and canapes and local pianist Steve Fordington will be playing in the saloon.

It will be a delightful evening and a wonderful opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues.

If you are looking for that special gift for the most discerning or just want to treat yourself to something very special, join us for a truly magical event.

Book tickets HERE.

Contact: Wolterton Hall, Norfolk NR11 7LY. Tel: 01263 768966 or email.

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Since the listed Georgian building in the town’s Market Place changed hands last September, the eight bedrooms have been revamped, Bread Source has opened its doors and the Orange Grove Clinic has opened two treatment rooms for massages and beauty treatments, joining the already resident Country Salon hairdressers.

The new co-owners of the Dial House, James and Tom Ellis, formerly of Original Cottages in Reepham, and Steven Winter, founder of Bread Source, hope the building will eventually be open all day and evening for people to come and enjoy.

Tom, who lives in Whitwell with his wife Sara, said: “We frequented the Dial House – the Old Brewery House as it was previously – for many years and it has been a special place for us with many happy times and celebrations spent there.

“We have always planned for the Dial House to be an active part of the Reepham community and build a business that is loved by locals and brings visitors to our lovely town. This next chapter builds on the existing offering and brings something completely different to Reepham.”

Steven, who started selling his bread in Reepham Market Place in 2013, said: “I have always felt a fondness for Reepham, as the town was so supportive of me when I got started in the early days. Coming to Reepham has felt like coming home in many ways and we are really pleased to be opening a new concept with Laid Back.

“We have thought carefully about how we can build on what has gone before and ensure the Dial House is a buzzing and thriving business in the heart of this beautiful market town,” he continued.

“We opened our café bakery at the end of last year and the positive impact we have had on the town’s visitors and footfall has been incredible. We hope that [the new wine bar] will take the enjoyment of the building to the next level.”

The Laid Back wine bar will initially be open from 2 pm to 10 pm, Tuesday to Saturday, although it is hoped to open every evening if there is enough demand.

The co-owners have also not ruled out the idea of a restaurant in the future, but said they want to get the basics right to begin with, before making that next step.

See our earlier stories:

• Bread Source opens café as new era unfolds for the Dial House
• Dial House under new ownership

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The benefits of gardening are well known: common sense, anecdote and academic research all reveal the same truth – being outside, hands on with nature, is good for both our physical and mental health.

A desire to see as many young people as possible benefit from the opportunities and outlook that gardening provides has shaped the unique charitable purpose of the Papillon Project, that of establishing and developing secondary school allotments.

When Matt Willer established the Allotment Project at Reepham High School in 2015 he had little idea how successful the project would become.

Currently, the Papillon Project works with 32 schools across Norfolk, reaching thousands of young people to help them understand and develop skills in food production, horticulture, environmental awareness, communication and teamwork.

At other times Papillon allotments simply provide a different type of space for young people, one in which they can relax, away from technology, examinations and the myriad pressures of modern life.

The allotments at Reepham High School are growing from strength to strength, not exactly a “jewel in the crown” of the Papillon Project, but certainly a “cabbage in the compost”.

The Papillon Project employs a small team who transform land to create new plots, help maintain the productivity of established allotments and support schools with educational enrichment on the allotments.

However, to maintain the charity the project relies for its success on a great number of volunteers, both on the allotment and in the “office”.

These stalwarts enable the school allotments to thrive, the charity to grow and young people to cultivate food for themselves and their local community.

Gardens demand a lot in terms of time, effort and knowledge. Without the time, work and insight of its volunteers the wonderful resources the Papillon Project freely provides schools and young people with could not continue.

For more information about the Papillon Project (charity no. 1189383) or to enquire about volunteering, please visit the website or contact by email.

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The building was purchased in September; the three new co-owners are all friends and local businesspeople: James and Tom Ellis, formerly of Original Cottages in Reepham, and Steve Winter, founder of Bread Source.

The new syndicate have been renovating part of the building, which opened on Tuesday 14 November as a Bread Source café, while the eight rooms on the first floor have been spruced up and are now offered as Dial House “stylish B&B”.

The Orange Grove Clinic is planning to open a massage and well-being clinic in the coming weeks and the Country Salon continues to offer hair styling from its existing location upstairs. Other plans include a wine bar and casual dining in the evening.

The Ellis brothers have been involved in Reepham for more than 30 years with their holiday cottage business.

Tom Ellis, who lives in Whitwell with his wife Sara, said: “We have frequented the Dial House – the Old Brewery House Hotel as it was previously – for many years and it has been a special place for us with many happy times and celebrations spent there.

“We want to be an active part of the Reepham community and build a business that is loved by the locals and brings visitors to our lovely town.”

Mr Winter, who started selling bread at a stall on Reepham Market more than ten years ago, said: “I have always felt a fondness for Reepham, as the town was always so supportive of me when I got started in the early days. Coming to Reepham feels like coming home in many ways.

“We have thought carefully about how we can make the best of this iconic building and ensure the Dial House is a buzzing and thriving business in the heart of this beautiful market town.

“We opened our new café bakery in Aylsham almost two years ago and the positive impact we have had on the town’s visitors and footfall has been incredible. We hope it will be the same story in Reepham.”

The partners, all born and bred in Norfolk, are now starting to turn their thoughts to a café and restaurant in the evenings, but say they want to get the basics right to begin with before making full use of the building.

Bread Source
The Dial House
Market Place
Reepham NR10 4JJ
Tel: 01603 879900

Opening hours:
Monday – Saturday 8 am – 5 pm
Sunday 8 am – 4 pm

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Initially, the Station Bakery will be opening from 8 am – 2.30 pm, Monday–Saturday, with the possibility of extending the opening hours in future.

Breakfast ciabattas will be available from 8 am; turkey, beef and gammon ciabattas from 11 am; with sausage rolls, pasties and more served all day, along with a cake counter and fresh bread supplied daily by Krusty Loaf of Fakenham.

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Reepham Primary School pupils donated 143 kilograms of food and Reepham High School collected 158 kilograms. Together, this amount will feed 43 people for three days.

This harvest season local churches and schools have donated 2.4 tonnes of food and toiletries.

As part of the Trussell Trust network of foodbanks, Mid Norfolk Foodbank provides three-day nutritionally balanced emergency food parcels to local people referred to the charity in short-term crisis.

Last year, from April 2022 to April 2023, the foodbank fed 4,878 people, including 2,031 children, according to the foodbank’s operations manager, Suzanne Bushby.

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The new owners will continue to run the hotel with eight bedrooms, while the ground floor will become a Bread Source café and shop.

The Dial House had been run by Hannah Springham and Andrew Jones of Norwich’s Farmyard restaurant, who took over the business in 2018.

The Reepham-based couple said: “The time has come to hand over the keys to this beautiful place. It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride and we wouldn’t change a moment.”

They admitted that, like others in the hospitality business, they had struggled through the pandemic and recent “frightening” cost rises, “but sharing special moments with both our team and our guests has always given us strength. Thank you for the memories and for being part of our epic journey.”

All three new owners have been a part of the local community for many years. Brothers James and Tom Ellis have been involved in Reepham’s commercial life for more than 30 years as part of the family-owned holiday cottage business (which was taken over by self-catering holiday rentals firm Travel Chapter in 2022), while Mr Winter started selling bread at Reepham Market in 2013 and now has several artisan bakeries and cafés in Aylsham and Norwich.

“We want to be an active part of the Reepham community and build a business that is loved by the locals and brings visitors to our lovely town,” the syndicate stated.

The new owners plan to close the restaurant for a short time while part of the building is renovated, which is set to reopen as a shop and café. The bedrooms and the Country Salon hairdresser will remain unaffected during this time.

Grade II listing

Sited on an early 17th century building, the Grade II listed building was rebuilt and extended in 1729 and originally named the Dial House because of a large sundial over the front door.

The house was converted into a commercial hotel in 1972 and renamed the Old Brewery House Hotel in recognition of its previous role as a residence of the Bircham family that had run a brewery in Reepham for several generations and because one of the hotel’s principal rooms used to be the brewery.

The premises were acquired from a company related to Oxford Hotels & Inns in 2013 by Iain Wilson of Holt-based Byfords, who renovated the building, demolished the sports centre at the rear of the property, built a number of residential units, including redeveloped and new-build properties, opened a restaurant and retail business on the ground floor and opened the eight bed-and-breakfast rooms.

See our earlier stories:

• Award-winning hotel and restaurant for sale
• The Dial House bought by Reepham couple
• Byfords to purchase Reepham’s Old Brewery House Hotel
• Reepham-based holiday cottage business sold
• Bread stall hits the spot at market

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