New era as coffee shop closes down (From Gazette Series)

New era as coffee shop closes down

CHANGE will be coming to Wotton's Long Street from tomorrow.

The Coffee Shop and Guest House will be losing one of its identities - after 15 years, the coffee shop is closing so proprietor Sandra Nixon can concentrate on the guest house.

Mrs Nixon said: "I thought long and hard about this decision. I'm sad for the regulars and the staff but it's time for a new chapter."

Regular customers have included John and Molly O'Byrne, local artist Les James, the 'Thursday morning boys' (Jack Lloyd and friends), and some only known by their first names - Lyn, who fosters children, and Dave who has visited the cafe every morning.

A group of 16 cyclists has regularly called in once a month, chaining their bicycles up outside. And people who have walked the Cotswold Way have often stopped to rest at Berkeley House, 31a Long Street.

Some famous visitors to the coffee shop have included the astronomer Patrick Moore, actress Emma Thompson and the singer Paul Young.

During the summer months, the building's beautiful garden has been open for teas and other refreshments.

Mrs Nixon said: "The garden has been my favourite part of the whole place."

Despite its name, the house actually has no connection with the Berkeley family, unlike so many other places in Wotton-under-Edge. Before it was called Berkeley House, it was known as The Steppes.

A wood-panelled room, complete with 18th century wallpaper, was moved from the house in the 1920s to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London where it is on public display.

Mrs Nixon said: "At one time, I'd hoped we might have a sample of the wallpaper or something from that room to show here. But after some re-decorating this summer, some photographs and booklets will be on display for guests."

She added: "I'm definitely staying in Wotton. I love it, and I love the people. Maybe I can persuade my husband to get away from his building business and come for walks with me!

"I am of pension age now, and I just need to take things a little bit more easily."

Mrs Nixon already has a lot of B&B bookings from walkers. "This year has been the best year ever for Cotswold Way walkers - it's now a National Trail, of course."