Hats off to town cafe's successful first year

THE owner of a town centre cafe celebrated a year in business in fine style – by winning a top prize at this year's Barnard Castle Meet.
The Farmhouse Kitchen and Tea Room opened in Horsemarket just before the 2016 Meet.
And after a busy 12 months, the cafe was awarded first place for the best window display at this year’s carnival.
Owner Jane Seagrave-Stevenson said the display was down to the creative eye of shop manager Kimberly Lynas.
“The theme was magical and mythical and Kimberly decided she would like to do a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party theme.”
The award rounded off a “better than expected” first year, said Ms Seagrave-Stevenson.
With an established mobile catering business attending shows and festivals, along with outside catering for weddings, christenings and other function, she said she had been looking for a base in a market town which could run alongside the other ventures.
“I think Barnard Castle is a booming little market town and my husband Ben and I noticed in the Mercury that the shop was coming up for rent.
“Within a fortnight we had signed the lease and we opened just before the Meet last year.”
She added: “It has been better than expected.
“We have a solid client base of locals and from Easter to October a good lot of tourists.”
The cafe also provides employment for up to five members of staff, depending on the season.
Ms Seagrave-Stevenson, who comes from a West Auckland farming family, said having the base in Barney had also helped generate business for private events as well.