‘Everyone seems really excited’ - reborn Whitburn Village Cafe getting ready to open

A historic cafe undergoing a sympathetic transformation is getting ready to open.

Richard and Dom Ord got the keys to Whitburn Village Cafe in June after taking over the reigns from Francis and Peter Hopper who are enjoying a much-deserved retirement after serving up breakfasts and brews since 1972.

The cafe holds many memories for the brothers - known for their family chippy institution Colmans - who grew up in the village and were among the many regulars at the cafe under the previous owners.

Excited to bring something new to the village, while also staying true to the cafe’s classic British heritage, they’ve been transforming the site since the summer.

They’ve stripped back the cafe down to the wiring and have been installing heritage features, such as panelling, parquet-style flooring and a sage green colour scheme.

Now, they’re in the final stages of work and are gearing up to open in the first week of December.

Richard said they’ve been overwhelmed by the response to them taking on the site and are aiming to deliver a venue to make the village proud.

“The response has been unbelievable, which has been amazing to see. Everyone seems really behind it,” he said.

“We want people to come in and feel at home here, relaxed. But what was also really important to us was not to take away from the tradition of the cafe, but build on it and elevate it for the future.”

That ethos flows through to the menu, which will focus on British classics using local produce where possible, like a classic full English as well as a twist on breakfast dishes, such as a breakfast brioche roll with bacon, scallops and a brown butter hollandaise and a dish of brûléed porridge.

The new cafe, which will be open seven days a week, will also feature small plates, wines, pastries, Sunday lunches and more.

The new venture has created around 12 new roles, with most of those roles going to villagers, including head chef Dylan Smith, with all staff currently being trained at Colmans Seafood Temple.

As the painting and decorating side nears completion, counters of marble, dark wood and brass, which are being made off site, will be fitted, along with the rest of the fit out.

Once completed, there will be around 35 covers inside and a further 25 / 30 outside.

The brothers have paid a lot of attention to detail, down to the tableware which is all Village Cafe branded.

There’s lots of anticipation for the opening in Front Street and Richard says they’re looking forward to finally having people through the doors.

“Some days you can’t get any work done because everyone stops for a chat,” he joked. “But it just goes to show the appetite people have for the place. I think they’ve really enjoyed watching it change and unfold.

“We feel proud of what we’re doing, but the biggest thing for us is how it’s been received so far and the anticipation. We’re working really hard to get everything right for them.”