Review: The new Beehive Café hits the spot

The Beehive Café, which opened a few weeks ago, is run by volunteers and is open 6 days a week. Nub News popped in to meet the volunteers and sample the food. 

Before its opening earlier this month, the café/bar area in the community building was only in use before and after performances, but the team at The Beehive realised what a wasted space it was and turned it into a daytime café. 

The new Café is part of the community centre's plan to become financially self-sufficient from the council. Last year, after a public consultation , it was decided that Honiton Town Council would continue to offer financial support to The Beehive until it could regain its financial independence. It is hoped that the café will help raise much-needed funds,

The café sells a wide range of food and snacks including soups, quiches, cakes, sandwiches, pizzas and flatbreads. Everything is made on site or at the homes of the volunteers. 

When Nub News visited there were a range of delicious looking cakes on offer, including Victoria sponge, carrot cake and flapjack. Out of all the cakes available, only two were not gluten free - and they all looked fantastic!

The Soup of the Day was Basil and Tomato, which I ordered. It was a very generous serving and came with lots of bread and butter. The soup itself was delicious - I particularly loved the fact you could really taste the basil. I was very impressed, and even more so when I learnt it was made by one of the dedicated volunteers! At £5, it was also very good value for money. 

The café can also provided a 'meal pack' for groups who are hiring rooms at the centre.

Rob Sexton (husband of Honiton's Mayor Serena Sexton) and Councillor Jenny Brown are volunteers in the café. Jenny makes all the cakes and quiches on site and Rob makes the soups at home. 

They both volunteer 6 days a week and their enthusiasm for the café and its customers is obvious.

Rob said: "Trade is building gradually, as people become aware we are open. We've had good days and more quiet ones, but it is early days. Lots of people have popped in who have just moved to the area, which is nice. 

"The space here is so nice and it was a shame it wasn't being used, so it's great to see the café up and running and customers coming in to try the food. 

"It is all about The Beehive being sustainable, and fingers crossed enough people use the café to make it viable to open. 

Jenny added: "It is a great space to come with friends, and we have excellent free Wi-fi too, for people who wish to come and work and enjoy coffee and cake. 

"People come and use the car park here and walk into town, but it would be great if they stopped for a coffee here first.

"At the moment we are volunteers, but in the future it would be great to be able to have paid staff. But we aim to be very affordable and reasonable too, which is important.

"We're looking for more volunteers to come and help out - perhaps help us serve, or even make cakes! I've made recipe cards for other volunteers to use and they're easy to follow. That would be wonderful.

"I really enjoy being here and making the cakes, meeting people. If you're passing, please pop in!"

The Beehive Café is open from 10.30am - 3.30pm Monday to Friday and on Saturdays 9.30am - 1pm. The Beehive is located on Dowell Street in Honiton. You can find it here. There is parking, disabled access and free Wi-fi.

If you are interested in volunteering at The Beehive Café you can contact The Beehive here.