New Brew & Bites Café opening in Lowestoft this weekend

The new Brew & Bites Cafe will open on Saturday (tomorrow, October 5) in the popular former Poppies Tea Rooms in Lowestoft - which is also historically where the town's former police station was based.

Keith Groom inside Brew & Bites Cafe in Lowestoft, which opens this weekend. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

It is a new venture for long-serving former head chef, Keith Groom, and he is looking forward to taking on a traditional family-run cafe "in the heart of Lowestoft".

As manager and owner of the premises on Regent Road, Lowestoft, Mr Groom said: "It will be a fresh food concept, home cooked, and we're doing that six days a week.

Brew & Bites Cafe in Lowestoft, which opens this weekend. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) "We are doing breakfasts, jacket potatoes, sandwiches, cakes, sausage rolls, quiches, scotch eggs - all homemade.

"We're going to be adding main meals later on which will be daily specials - which will be fresh fish and chips from the local market, fresh pies, bangers and mash all cooked inside.

Brew & Bites Cafe in Lowestoft, which opens this weekend. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) "We'll be doing one special a day - but Fridays will always be fish and chip day - with fish fresh from the market."

Mr Groom said he would use local suppliers where possible, including coffee beans roasted in Halesworth, fish from Lowestoft fish market and meat from a local butcher.

He added: "I've been a chef here in Lowestoft for 17 years now, working for others, having been a head chef for many people in the local area - now it is time to go out on my own.

Keith Groom, owner of Brew & Bites Cafe in Lowestoft, which opens this weekend. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) "We chose this premises as it used to be The Poppies Tea Rooms, and that used to be a very popular family orientated business.

"We have come here with our Brew & Bites concept to bring that same family feel back to the building.

"We've got regeneration happening in the area with the Cultural Quarter.

"So we thought we'd get here, get established, and this part of the town will see a resurgence - and we want to be a part of that."

'A family affair'

After a "big refurbishment" that has seen a whole new kitchen floor, brand new servery area, a full redecoration throughout - including refurbishments in the toilets, a new speaker system and refurbishing all the tables and chairs - Mr Groom added: "Its about refreshing what was here and putting some love back in because I think it has been empty nine months.

"It was a fast food takeaway company that just used the kitchen before, they didn't open the restaurant or anything.

"We have put in an £8,000 investment in the refurbishment, and we have 32 covers inside offering takeaway as well.

"It is very much a family affair, with my wife, son, daughter, parents and in laws all involved.

Brew & Bites Cafe in Lowestoft, which opens this weekend. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"We want to give that personal feel to our customers - to convey that this is a family-run business."

The opening day of Brew & Bites is from 9am to 4pm on Saturday, October 5 and it will open six days a week thereafter, closing on Sunday's.