Essex pub opens new coffee shop

The Three Horseshoes pub in Fordham, which was purchased by licensee Moira Edwards just before the third Covid lockdown in 2020, originally opened the coffee shop to serve takeaway drinks and snacks to people living locally during the pandemic.

However, with the area having limited access to public transport and local services, Edwards soon realised the new shop, called The Coffee Shed, was needed as a permanent service.

Exciting time

Edwards said: “It’s an exciting time for us. We have so many visitors to The Coffee Shed in the mornings, so we wanted to create a comfortable welcoming space for our guests to enjoy their time with us.”

Supported with advice and a Community Services Grant from Pub is The Hub, which has helped more than 600 pubs diversify, the Three Horseshoes recently opened the coffee shop in a renovated building next to the pub and has seating with views over nearby Woodland Trust Fields.

In addition to the new space, The Coffee Shed has extended its food offer from freshly made croissants and sausage rolls to include paninis, seasonal fruit, locally made confectionary brand Temprd Chocolate and old-fashioned sweets as well as freshly baked bread, pickles and chutneys.

Heart of the village 

The Coffee Shed, which is open Wednesday to Friday from 10am until 2pm and from 9am to 2pm at the weekend, also supports a wide range of local suppliers including Dedham Vale honey, Fairfield Farm crisps, Colchester fresh fish and Anglia Produce.

Pub is The Hub regional advisor Jeremy English said: “The Coffee Shed is a great place for people to meet and socialise in a relaxed environment.

“The Three Horseshoes is at the heart of the village offering a place for people to get together. It is a great example of a pub supporting people in the local community.”