Café opens at Creake Abbey near Burnham after 8 months empty

The Barn at Creake Abbey near Burnham Market is opening its doors this week.

Its unit was previously occupied by Creake Abbey Food Hall and Café, which closed to great sadness in October after seven years in business.

The café's new owner, Lorna Tranter, said: "It's been a lifelong dream of mine to run a coffee shop so this was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.

Lorna Tranter owner of The Barn at Creake Abbey in north Norfolk (Image: Lorna Tranter)

"My daughter Lucy runs Lox Hair Design and told me about the café is empty.

"And talking to the landlady we realised that the café reopening would bring a vibe back to Creake Abbey and help the other shops on the lot."

The Barn will start as a pop-up, with the hope of staying open permanently.

"We're hoping that it will stay open but we're going to see how it goes," said the retired 56-year-old.

"I've been a chef for many years in hotels and restaurants but this is my first time doing this.

The Barn is opening at Creake Abbey (Image: Barn Cafe)

"And it's really exciting to be following a dream."

Opening only in the former deli section and not in the back café, Mrs Tranter is aiming for a "warm and welcoming" feel.

While it is a pop-up, the café will be serving cold food such as sandwiches, pastries and cakes as well as hot, cold and alcoholic drinks.

Mrs Tranter wants to keep suppliers "as local as possible" with bread from Krusty Loaf in Fakenham and cakes from Welly Boot Bakery in Wells.

The Barn at Creake Abbey is launching on Friday, June 30, and will be open from 10am to 4pm Wednesday to Saturday.