Folk Café in Fornham St Martin, near Bury St Edmunds, re-opens after trebling in size

Queues formed this morning as Folk Café re-opened it doors.

The popular café, in Fornham St Martin, near Bury St Edmunds, founded by Ali Barker in 2018, has now trebled in size, throughout.

It now seats 150 instead of the previous 50, a private dining room will be opening in September, along with a new shop and deli.

The expansion, which means the café has been closed for the past month, has also created 10 jobs – with staff numbers rising from 22 to 32.

A new range of workshops and special events is also being introduced over the coming months.

Emma Adams was one of the first customers through the door this morning.

“I have been coming to Folk since it opened and I love the new look,” said Emma, of Hartest.

“A few people were worried with the expansion it would lose it quirky homeliness and buzz. But that’s not the case and at all and it is just bigger.

“It still has a great atmosphere even though it is three times the size and the breakfast I had this morning of French toast, banana, maple syrup and mascarponi cheese was amazing.”

The café, which was only first intended to serve customers from the surrounding businesses on Fornham Business Court, Fornham St Martin, has become a major local success story.

It is now a popular destination café attracting customers daily from across Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridge.

It is open Monday to Saturday, 8.30am to 4pm, and serves breakfast and lunch, and food and drinks throughout the day.

The menu includes a wide range of coffees, teas, cold drinks, alcohol, sweet and savoury dishes and children’s meals, all of which have become renowned for their quality.

Local suppliers include Butterworth & Son, Wooster's Bakery, Bury St Edmunds, and Thurston Butchers.

Ali Barker, said: “It just went crazy as soon as we opened the doors. We’re so pleased so many people have taken an interest and come to see us.

“The new space also gives us scope to adapt over the coming months.

“We have also introduced some new events including a Prosecco and Paint workshop in September, which sold out within an hour and we are also introducing a roast residency with visiting chefs in Sundays.

“People can also now book tables for the first time. But for walk-ins we will never turn anyone away.

“We’re also now able to cater for wedding parties.”

Regular customers, Jamey and John Perkins, were also amongst the first to arrive.

They came with Emily and Lucy Auchincloss, and Lucy’s son Fergus, aged five weeks.

Emily said: “It looks wonderful and is a great place to visit with family, to hang out with friends or even work.”

Earlier this year, Folk also launched a new luxury B&B alongside the café for quests to stay.

The three-bedroom flint house, sleeps up to 10, and is now fully furnished and equipped.

Music for the re-opening of the café this morning was provided by folk due, Flogan, from London.