Bury St Edmunds: Meet the new owner of Bay Tree Cafe

Alex Rotherham, 52, is the new owner of the Bay Tree Cafe in St John's Street.

Having lived in Bury St Edmunds since 2011, Mr Rotherham has a wealth of experience at restaurants, locally including No.4 Restaurant at the Abbeygate Cinema.

Alex Rotherham, 52, is the new owner of the Bay Tree Cafe in St John's Street. (Image: Alex Rotherham)

Previously, he lost his own restaurant during the financial crisis in 2007, and says he's always known he'd return to running his own business again.

"I've been run off my feet these last few weeks," said Mr Rotherham.

"The place already has it's own personality, so I'm just evolving it by listening to what my customers want."

Bay Tree Cafe came up as an option last summer and Mr Rothersam said he could immediately see the potential of the building.

Mr Rotherham says Bay Tree Cafe has been full of customers since it reopened. (Image: Alex Rotherham)

"The location is excellent and it has great character," he said.

"I knew that it could be popular from the start."

He's taken the decision to strip the menu back to focus on the quality and freshness of his food.

"Rather than trying to cater to everyone, I'm putting out dishes I'm really proud of," he said.

Alex Rotherham promises an entire menu consisting of fresh food. (Image: Alex Rotherham)

"I oppose microwaves, so I stripped those out of the premises first.

"I just won't use them - never have, never will."

One of his favourite items on the menu are his roast chicken paninis, which he designed for his wife and has been making at all the restaurants he's worked at for the last 15 years.

"Several people say it's the best panini they've ever had," he said.

Mr Rotherham is enjoying the steady flow of customers he's had thus far and is hoping that, as the menu evolves, the Bay Tree Cafe will become a firm favourite in the community.

Bay Tree Cafe in St John's Street, Bury St Edmunds. (Image: Alex Rotherham)