A entrepreneurial couple who opened in a tearoom in Clacton after spotting a "gap in the market" have been serving up treats for more than a decade. 

To kick off the Gazette's new backing business feature we have spoken to Bluebird Tearooms, in Pier Avenue. 

The highly rated café is entirely family run and was started ten years back in 2013 by Laura Sheffield, 62, her husband Eddie, 72 and daughter Sara Whitney, 37.

Laura, who grew up in Clacton, said: “We had a café already, but Clacton didn’t have any tearooms at all. We saw that little gap in the market, and here we are, over ten years later,” she said.

The café, which won the Gazette's Café of the Year award in 2018 and 2019, prides itself on its uniqueness

Laura added: “I think it’s the high quality of food and service that sets us apart. We’ve always come up very high on TripAdvisor and Google Reviews. "

The menu is a labour of love, featuring a variety of homemade dishes, including their signature Italian Bolognese sauce.

“It’s silky and flavourful, and it goes into our lasagne. It’s special because it takes time and care, six hours to be specific” Laura said.

The tearooms also cater to diverse dietary needs, with extensive vegan and gluten-free options.

Laura said: “People are a lot more health-conscious now, and we’ve adapted. Our breakfast is entirely griddled, not fried, and we have a large variety of gluten free and vegan choices.”  

Upcoming events include a “sip and paint” class on November 27, where attendees will create a painting of a fox in moonlit woods under the guidance of local artist Rebecca Bourne.

“People come in with no experience, and the artist takes them step by step. We serve drinks, and it’s always a fun, creative evening,” Laura said.  

Community support has been the foundation of their success, especially during winter.

Laura fondly recalled one snowy day when they placed tables and chairs outside to signal they were open.

“A man came in and laughed, asking why we’d do that in thick snow. But we ended up being packed that day because everything else was closed,” she said. 

"We didn't get to do any cleaning at all that day, even though that had been the plan as we least expected people to turn up."

The tearooms’ legacy of giving back is also evident in their contributions to good causes.

She said: “I’ve donated homemade scones and cream teas—sometimes 100 at a time.

"In the past, we’ve also done Christmas meals. Giving back is very important to us."

“We’ve been so lucky for the support we’ve had. We wouldn’t be here without our local community,” Laura added. 

But, despite their continued success, Laura revealed that the family is preparing to retire.

“We’re looking for someone who shares our ethos to take over,” she said.

“The staff here is like family, and they’re all willing to stay, but we’re holding back on Christmas specials this year as we transition.”