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WITH Holme Grange Craft Village once again accessible via Heathlands and Easthampstead Roads, retailers are keen to welcome people in to enjoy their unique shopping experience.
After families have had fun exploring the village’s independent outlets, which include glass design, tropical fish and aquatics, fine art, jewellery, clothes and books, they can find refreshments and a tasty menu of homemade specials at The Grange Cafe.
Wokingham.Today went to meet cafe owner Gemma Nicholas.
As well as her passion for catering, Gemma also likes to travel down mountainsides at speed.
“I started working here for the previous cafe owner in 2017, ” she explained.
“I’d spend summers here, and winters in the Alps managing ski chalets.
“It was great fun.
“I’d be making breakfasts in the mornings, baking cakes, and cleaning the rooms, and then I’d spend the afternoons skiing before catering again in the evening.
“I do love skiing – my dad really encouraged me to take the opportunities that came my way – it was something he wished he’d done.”
Then, in 2019 Gemma was asked to manage the Grange cafe.
And last year, when the previous owner retired, Gemma took the opportunity to run the business in partnership with cafe chef Monica.
“We’ve freshened everything up,” said Gemma.
“And now that the road has reopened at the top, we want to remind everyone that we’re all here in the village, ready to welcome them.
“The new route hasn’t been updated on Google maps yet, so people may not yet realise that it’s easier to visit us once again.”
The cafe has plenty of space inside where the decor is light and bright, and further seating in a sheltered sunny courtyard outside.
Gemma currently employs 12 part time staff members, giving many of them their first job.
“Young people need work experience, don’t they,” she said.
“And how can they get that if employers won’t take on youngsters looking for their first job?
“Young people are great – I find they’re always keen to learn, and brilliant with technology.
“They understand the systems and they pick them up so quickly.
“It’s lovely to see them grow in confidence here.
“Some of them can be very shy to start with, but within a few months they’re happy dealing with the public, and learning lots of life skills.
“And then when they go off to uni, we often keep in contact.”
Gemma and Monica have revived a number of previous menu favourites, such as chicken gougons, burgers, and paninis.
And for visitors who enjoy an all day breakfast, The Grange Cafe is definitely the place to be – and it’s open every day.
Foodies can enjoy full English, pancakes, eggs Benedict with avocados and other breakfast favourites, not just at breakfast time, but all day.
“And we have some fabulous hot chocolates,” said Gemma.
“This was formally The Chocolate Cafe, and we still make our drinks with real chocolate buttons.”
The cafe’s dark and white, peanut butter, and Italian thick hot chocolates certainly sound deliciously tempting.
“And all our cakes are homebaked, such as our victoria sponges, parfaits and apple crumbles,” said Gemma.
“We love getting to know our regular customers and being familiar with their preferences even before they order.”
With the cafe and village open every day, and the roadblocks lifted, there are once again plenty of opportunities to visit Holme Grange Craft Village for a spot of retail therapy and a hot chocolate fix, whenever the urge presents itself.
And the parking’s free.
The village, and the Grange Cafe are both open every day from 10am until 4pm.
For information, visit: holmegrangecraftvillage.co.uk
