“It’s something we’ve always wanted to do” Jackie Lusk beamed at the opening of the Tea Room in Andover’s high street earlier this week.
“Initially we’d thought of a salad bar but as a family, we went out for afternoon tea and thought, right, let’s incorporate both!”.
Her daughter, Hayley Rowbotham, 41 agreed: “It was my Mum’s birthday, and we just thought, we can do this.”
The pair are now business partners and excited about their new venture. Jackie said: “There’s nothing in Andover for the people living in the town, you have to get a taxi to somewhere like a garden centre if you want to go out for a cup of tea and cake.”
Hayley explained: “I know quite a few people who don’t drive, so that’s more money if you have to get into a taxi, our tea shop is in the centre of town so you can pop in here and have a refreshing cup of tea while you’re shopping.”
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The women aim to bake fresh scones and cakes and will offer bookings for ‘an afternoon tea experience.’ Morning brunch will be served between 10-12pm noon and takeaways lunches from 1200 onwards. Traditional cream teas will be available all day.
The pair aren’t worried about family flare-ups: “She’s my Mum so we know our strong points and our weaknesses, I’m the unflappable one in the family!”
Jackie said they’ve designed the shop with a vintage feel, “We’ve got sugar bowls, cups and saucers, that whole kind of nostalgia, come on in and treat yourself!”
To book for an ‘afternoon tea experience’ phone 0774 9070263. thetearoomandover.co.uk
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