A new vintage tearoom has opened its doors in Co Durham, with owners Sarah and Anthony Patterson turning their passion for vintage china and the 1920s into a new business.
Patterson’s Vintage Tearooms on Middle Street in Consett is decorated in the white and gold colours of the Ritz Hotel’s Palm Court Café, with a chandelier at the centre of the 60-cover venue.
A butler will meet, greet and seat customers as they arrive before sandwiches, scones and cakes are served on 100-year-old china tea sets. A team of 10 have already been hired, including four apprentices, while Sarah and Anthony have also created a first-floor Alice In Wonderland-themed venue which is available for hire for birthday parties and private functions.
The project has been backed by a £25,000 investment from the North East Small Loan Fund Supported by The European Regional Development Fund, which the couple secured through regional fund management firm NEL Fund Managers.
Sarah said: “I’ve always loved everything about the glamour and style of the 1920s, and have collected vintage china tea sets for many years. The idea of building on this by creating a vintage tearoom in our home town emerged during lockdown and it’s wonderful to see how it’s now been realised. The NEL team were really supportive in guiding us through the investment application process and all the advisors who’ve helped us have made a real difference towards bringing our ideas to life.”
Pictured: l-r Jonathan Armitage (NEL Fund Managers), Sarah and Anthony Patterson, and Joe Murray (CDC Enterprise Agency)
