Marlborough café on the move to Munchies' old premises (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Marlborough café on the move to Munchies' old premises

9:38am Thursday 10th January 2013 in News By Anna Mauremootoo

The owner of the independent café, Krumbz, is upbeat about the future despite moving into Munchies’ old premises which closed because of competition from Caffè Nero.

Krumbz had been operating from The Parade for eight years but Debbie Chapman, 52, opened the doors to the new venue in Kennet Place on Thursday.

Miss Chapman said: “Footfall has really fallen on The Parade and the old venue didn’t really have anywhere for people to sit. There was a window seat but it was usually occupied and I wanted somewhere people could come and sit down.

“When this place became available the landlord approached me but at first I wasn’t sure. I’m a trained counsellor and I was going to start a counselling business, but I love Krumbz and I love food. It never feels like work.”

When Krumbz first opened it was one of a few cafés in Marlborough but now there are several including big chains such as Costa and Caffè Nero.

It was the opening of Caffeè Nero that Munchies owner Clair Thomas cited as the “final straw” when she shut up shop two months ago.

But Miss Chapman isn’t worried about the competition. She said: “A lot of the big chains have to stick to corporate rules but we don’t have that here.

“There, if you want to change something about a sandwich you can’t but everything we make is homemade and fresh using local produce and the girls that work here aren’t afraid of trying new things. They’re always going through cook books and trying new recipes.

“Sophie is famous for her crazy cake. There’s so much in it that every mouthful tastes different.

“That’s what you get here, there’s something new every day, if you want the same every day then go to Caffè Nero.”

Miss Chapman’s 35-year-old son Martyn redecorated the premises with the help of some of his friends.

Miss Chapman added: “I think everybody who helped is proud when they walk through the door, I am. I think it looks great and once the river is finished it will look beautiful. ”