Long Melford Ivy&Bond tea room to expand into sweets and ice cream parlour next month
A Long Melford tea room is preparing to expand with the opening of a sweet shop and ice cream parlour in a neighbouring property.
Helen Clutterham, 45 of Glemsford, near Sudbury, opened Ivy&Bond tea room in Waterloo House, Hall Street, in January, and plans to launch the new venture at the beginning of May.
The idea to open the tea room came after Helen lost her husband to cancer in August last year, which inspired her to make the career change she had always dreamed of.
"Opening a tea room was always something I had said one day maybe I would like to do but I was never financially in a position to do so," she said.
"Following Paul passing away we decided we needed a focus for the future and so I came up with the idea. We found our beautiful listed building in Long Melford and the rest is history."
The former nursery manager, who had worked in education for 27 years, said the tea room has been a family affair with her three children, Megan, 20, Eliza, 18 and Hermione, 12, getting involved.
"I have always loved baking from when my Grandma taught me as a child. I have now passed this on to my three girls as have always baked with them," she said.
"Megan, Eliza and Hermione are all directors in the business and all help at the tea room. Family members also work here including my nieces and Paul's sister. It really is a family business."
Helen noticed the shop next door, the other unit in Waterloo House, was up for rent and saw it as the perfect chance to expand.
She plans to sell traditional sweets and ice cream, as well as locally made fudge, jam, chutney and honey.
"I am hoping it will bring a new exciting shop for our customers in Long Melford, beyond and when tourists visit. My aim is to source local produce and in the tea room we already have fresh scones from Tanswells Bakery and sausage rolls from Clark & Son both businesses in Long Melford," said Helen.
"The community have really welcomed the idea and we have had lots of positive comments. We are very excited about what the future holds for Ivy&Bond."
