Covid-19 won't stop this long-serving town cafe

Martin Tognarelli is the current owner and he is proud to be one of a long lineage.

Fifth-generation owner Martin said: “We go back about 120 years.”

Tognarelli’s Coffee Shop was first opened by Martin’s great-great-grandmother.

The long-serving cafe has continued in spite of all challenges faced over the years, including the coronavirus pandemic.

Martin said: “We’ve been through some hard times. I’ve seen one or two recessions.”

But the coffee shop still holds fond memories for many.

“People come in and say ‘my parents used to bring me in here and now I’m bringing my own children.’ We’re a constant presence in the town centre. We’re just a modest shop but we get a lot of people saying ‘I used to work in here in the seventies’.”

Although it is a long-running businesses, the shop is still moving with the times, adapting during the pandemic.

“When we were closed we took the time to re-do the shop front, we redecorated the shop with old photos,” Martin said. “We’re doing afternoon tea boxes. More people don’t want to come out and sit in a cafe.”

Afternoon tea boxes have proved popular amongst customers.

Tognarelli’s are sending the boxes out for Halloween parties with spooky-themed treats for youngsters. And from mid November the coffee shop will offer a festive tea treat box.

They said: “Celebrate the season in style with a treat box filled with your Tognarelli’s festive favourites.”

Martin is confident for the future of the business post-coronavirus.

“We’ve had to think of these things but I believe there will be a future for the town centre.”

The business is staying strong thanks to the support of its community: “We’ve only got half the capacity we would have pre-Covid. Our customers have been good to us. We were closed for a long time but they’re coming back.”

You can find Tognarelli’s on Pow Street to get in touch with them call: 01900 602317

Stay up to date with the latest special offers on their Facebook page.