Coffee shop which pays tribute to Suffolk grandmother opens its doors

Ben Lord, chairman of Ixworth Parish Council, is bringing back a coffee shop to Ixworth High Street with the help of his family Picture: GREGG BROWN

The Rambling Rose Coffee House and Bistro opened today at the former Coffee House premises in Ixworth's High Street.

It is being operated and managed by the Lord family who say they are "delighted" to bring the facility back to the community.

Ben Lord, managing director of the family business and also chairman of Ixworth Parish Council, said the coffee shop paid tribute to his nan Beryl Rose in its name, colour scheme and even telephone number.

The shop has undergone an extensive renovation ahead of its 9am launch today.

Chloe, Hannah and Charly from the Knightingales. A coffee shop is returning to Ixworth High Street after being without one for a year. Picture: ELLA WILKINSON (Image: Ella Wilkinson)

Mr Lord explained that back in the 1970s his nan would communicate with her sister using CB radio - without having the cost of the telephone - and her radio handle was Rambling Rose.

He added: "Nan also loved anything coffee flavoured. Very sadly, she passed away in April last year and as we thought about how to brand this new business concept, my sister Emma lovingly suggested that we paid the ultimate tribute to nan in naming the business after her.

"It didn't stop there as the colour scheme features nan's favourite colours and even the telephone number for the business was the same telephone number she had for over 50 years."

The family's Arthrose Appeal for West Suffolk Hospital, through the My WiSH Charity, has to date raised almost £40,000 for the orthopaedic department to recognise its "consistently outstanding" care and treatment given to Mrs Rose.

June and David Frost with Sheila Burrows and Sharon Res. A coffee shop is returning to Ixworth High Street after being without one for a year. Picture: ELLA WILKINSON (Image: Ella Wilkinson)

Rambling Rose was officially opened by Soren Sjolin, consultant orthopaedic surgeon from West Suffolk Hospital, and Dr Stephen Dunn, chief executive of West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.

Grandmother Beryl Rose is the inspiration behind the name and branding of the new Rambling Rose Coffee House and Bistro in Ixworth Picture: BEN LORD (Image: BEN LORD)

Staff Molly, Libby, Hannah and Angie. A coffee shop is returning to Ixworth High Street after being without one for a year. Picture: ELLA WILKINSON (Image: Ella Wilkinson)

Rambling Rose Coffee House and Bistro is in the former Coffee House premises that closed a year ago Picture: BEN LORD (Image: BEN LORD)

A coffee shop is returning to Ixworth High Street after being without one for a year. Picture: ELLA WILKINSON (Image: Ella Wilkinson)

Sue and Katie Monaghan. A coffee shop is returning to Ixworth High Street after being without one for a year. Picture: ELLA WILKINSON (Image: Ella Wilkinson)