June 28, 2018 5.03 pm This story is over 84 months old

Pimento re-opening and keeping previous ‘essence’

New owners took over the tea room
New Pimento owners Helen and Michael Butcher. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

A popular Steep Hill tea room will re-open on Friday, and the new owners are determined to “keep the essence” of the original business.

As previously reported, Pimento closed its doors after almost 30 years in May as former owner Jessica Bradshaw had a baby on the way and endured what were the toughest ever few months of her tenure.

New owners Michael and Helen Butcher have been working hard on a refurb, painting and decorating the dog-friendly tea room.

Pimento will re-open on Friday, June 29 with a mixture of previous and new staff, including Ellie Norman and Katie Betty, who both worked under the previous owner.

Pimento is undergoing refurbishment. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

‘Taken on a legacy’

New co-owner Helen told The Lincolnite: “We don’t want to lose any of the essence of Pimento, it’s got its own character and that’s what the customers like, so we don’t want to lose that.

“It wasn’t just a tea room or a cafe or a restaurant, it was actually Pimento that we were buying into.

“It’s been here for over 30 years and it’s been called Pimento for about 27 — we’ve taken on a legacy and there’s a lot of responsibility with that.

One of the rooms inside Pimento. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

“It spreads Pimento dust and once you’ve been sprinkled with it, it’s hard to brush it away again.

“We’re keeping it vegetarian and vegan and opening with a very similar menu, but over time we are planning to change the menu, but will keep the favourites on.

“We’re going to have a spring, summer, autumn, winter menu that changes and then weekly specials just to provide a bit of variety.”

Pimento’s new head chef Tom Spivey. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

Chef Ellie Norman worked at Pimento under the previous owner and is staying on board. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

Future plans

Mr and Mrs Butcher plan to get an alcohol licence with hopes of potentially extending Pimento into an evening venue or as a bistro in the future.

Pimento is open from Friday, June 29, 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday and 11am-4pm on Sundays.