Owners of Petals Tea Room in Dersingham to step back

Married couple Kevin and Neil Andrews-Stott took on Petals Tea Room in Dersingham, near Sandringham, during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

They have since built it into a valued community hub and many of their loyal customers have become their friends.

The tearoom has become a community hub (Image: Kevin Andrews-Stott)

The venue has been booked out for intimate private functions such as birthday parties, hen parties and baby showers. 

It has also hosted clubs including a German conversation group and events such as a murder mystery. 

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Kevin said he will miss this social aspect of the business the most.

"We announced that we were leaving a few days ago and we've had a huge response," he said.

Petals has been hired out for several functions (Image: Kevin Andrews-Stott)

"Reading through all the posts has been quite emotional.

"It's never just been a business to us - it's been a way of getting to know people and providing a welcoming environment.

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"We just didn't quite realise the impact we were having on people."

The couple, who have been married for six years and together for 16, will be moving on to separate smaller projects after leaving Petals on September 1.

The owners have been overwhelmed by the reaction to their leaving announcement (Image: Kevin Andrews-Stott)

On September 3, Kevin is opening a craft shop in Swaffham which will offer workshops and take commissions.

Neil, a chef of 50 years who trained at the Savoy, will stay in a kitchen environment making treats to sell at markets.

In the meantime, they are actively searching for somebody else to take on Petals and "continue its legacy".