Cafe change? Support a local business?

Some of us were talking today about the amount of money that St Neots CC members collectively must spend on coffee in Cafe Nero's. ( A multimillion pound international company ).

Wouldn't it be better spent in a local business, where we could maybe even negotiate a discount?

Any ideas or thoughts?

Coincidentally, this afternoon I was picking up chilli sauce at Edible Ornamenentals, which is a couple of miles from the start of the Bushmead sprint. (www.edibleornamentals.co.uk/ Postcode MK44 3BL)

They have just opened a cafe in the last couple of months, and I overhead the owner saying she was hoping to attract local cyclists in, as she see so many pass by. The cafe sits about 80 ppl with lots of outside seating and space.

Coffee is only £1! They don't have an espresso machine yet, but one is coming.

Great idea Joe....I for one think that supporting a local business is a something we should be doing.

Count me in, I'm always eager to try different cafes and support local business.

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Andy Mc

I'm in as Chris says we should support local business.

And have a #rule 5 chilli challenge , anyone fancy a Dorset narga ????

In principal I’m in agreement but the Market Square is a great advertisement for the club.

I agree on the "free" advertising Mark but I feel that something has changed at Nero's over the last few months.

Joe, I've been intrigued by Edible Ornamentals as I do make a fair amount of spicy food so was tempted to pop in and have a look at their range. If they have a cafe I might just cycle over instead.

I also agree more with supporting a local "venture" than a multinational chain. There's always Chris Preston's suggestion towards the beginning of summer, divert to the White Horse instead. I'm sure they do coffees, hot chocolates, etc.

Has anyone approached Cafe Nero to ask if the club riders get a discount (with valid membership card?)

The fry up place next door sells cheap coffee, how good it is I don't know.

Nero, whilst being a major company does employ local staff and does contribute to the town.

Would agree with the point about the market square being an ideal location for most people. Bushmead road in my opinion isn't central enough.

Out of interest, what do you think has changed at Nero's, Gareth?

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Andy Mc

Staff seem less welcoming. Maybe it's because trade has picked up over the summer and they are busy while during other seasons we provide them with good regular trade, but that said in summer we're more likely to have more than one round of drinks. We also have been quite regularly on Saturdays the past couple of months too.

As I say it could predominantly be that they are busy so we don't get the "relaxed" service I felt was a feature/good aspect of Nero's when I first started going there with the club.

David, unfortunately Edible Ornamentals is even less central than Bushmead Road is it's down near Chawston on Roxton Road just after the double bends as you head south.

Gareth, why dont you tell them this directly rather than writing it on a cycling forum?

A large company would take that feedback very seriously.

GarethS wrote:

Staff seem less welcoming.

Fair enough. That isn't my personal experience, however, and I've always found the staff in there friendly, helpful and chatty.

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Andy Mc