‘Sweet Surprise’ is a pleasant surprise to most people as they come into the café and see the surprising space within. The building was once a 1930s cinema, which explains its spacious interior. Some years ago, when the new Tesco’s wanted land for its petrol station, the owner of a convenient site was persuaded to sell to the supermarket in return for a sizeable sum of money. With this little windfall, she was able to build a group of sheltered bungalows for young people with special needs on the neighboring land. Continuing her generosity, she decided to create a small business for the youngsters to provide them with a useful opportunity for work. This resulted in the establishment of the café Sweet Surprise, where customers can enjoy light snacks and beverages as well as a great variety of traditional sweets in the familiar old-fashioned sweet jars.
More recently, the local Quakers found themselves in need of new premises, when their previous room was requisitioned by the Council. The fact that Sweet Surprise offered an attractive location and with a large empty space in the town centre every Sunday, and at a very reasonable rent, proved an ideal solution to the needs of the Quaker meeting. Quakers meet here every Sunday at half past ten.
Anyone is welcome to join the largely silent ‘meeting for worship’.
Do give it a try if you feel inclined