Emily Cotton speaks to Paul Ray of Woodbridge’s Wild Strawberry Cafe about his new venture the Wild Blackberry in Bromeswell

Following the success of the Wild Strawberry Café in Woodbridge, owners Paul Ray and Adeline Hammersley have turned their hands to opening a second eatery, the Wild Blackberry Café.

The café is located at Swann’s Nursery in Bromeswell, which covers more than 35 acres of beautiful Suffolk land and is a major supplier of plants and plant products to both trade and retail customers across the county.

“It was a natural progression to open a second café. The first two and half years went so well at the Wild Strawberry, that we thought why not expand,” explains Paul. “A regular customer let us know about the site at Swann’s Nursery and it looks like the kind of place you would love to spend time during the spring and summer. It was especially attractive to me however, as my mum lived in Bromeswell up until she was 17. The name obviously links the two cafes, but it’s also inspired by my mum’s upbringing and her Saturday job of picking blackberries in the village.”

Opening in September 2016, the Wild Blackberry Café has quickly become a popular choice for those looking for freshly prepared breakfasts and lunches, as well as those wanting to indulge in tasty homemade cakes and cookies.

“We do an amazing full English breakfast and our smashed avocado on Pump Street sourdough is also very popular. Our Gressingham duck sandwich and crayfish tails in marie rose sauce as a sandwich or as a topping on a jacket potato are also both customer favourites at lunch,” says Paul.

“The Strawberry’s food is healthy, creative and sometimes unusual in its flavour combinations,” Paul continues. “The Blackberry is similar, but a little more traditional.”

Over the past seven months, the Wild Blackberry has followed in the fruitful footsteps of Paul and Adeline’s original café, which sits overlooking Market Hill in Woodbridge town centre, building up a solid base of regular local customers.

When asked about future plans for the Wild Blackberry, Paul says: “In the coming months, we’d like to organise summer BBQ Fridays. We also want to take the Strawberry and Blackberry on the road, almost like a mobile café.”

The Wild Blackberry Café is situated at Swann’s Nursery, Eyke Road, Bromeswell, IP12 2PN and is open Monday to Friday 8am to 3.30pm, Saturday 9am to 3.30pm and Sunday 10am to 3.30pm. For more information call 01394 460496.

For more information on the Wild Strawberry Café, visit www.wildstrawberrycafe.co.uk