Locals poured into the EBIKE Cafe @ Deheers alongside the Old Weymouth Harbourside on Sunday 7th November to celebrate our successful first year of trading.
Owners Peter Claxton and Josephine Parker were overjoyed with the support they have received for their year old environmentally aware business, which champions an active lifestyle, healthier eating and a positive mental wellbeing.
Peter says, “We opened our doors with some trepidation last year. It was the height of the pandemic with lockdown restrictions in place, and all around us, we were seeing the sad demise of the high street.”
He continued, “However, we did not foresee the incredible support we have received from our customers and locals. The demand for eBikes has been unprecedented and we are now taking orders well into 2022”.
Co-owner, Josephine runs the cafe following the company ethos of keeping the carbon footprint as low as possible, sourcing locally and promoting healthy eating.
She says, “The response has been tremendous. We are welcoming so many locals and visitors to EBIKE Cafe on a regular basis. It is great to see familiar faces and see the place buzzing as a true community hub.”
Demand has been so high that they have grown from 3 employees to 21 since they opened last November. The majority of employees are young people looking to gain valuable work experience before embarking on university or college study.
Josephine says, “We have teenage children and understand the importance of providing a positive experience for those entering the world of work. Our ‘Hatchings’ employment programme is specially designed to help young people to do just that. It has proved very popular and we feel very privileged to offer employment for local people. We take our responsibility seriously, with a huge dash of enthusiasm and enjoyment.”
“It is a happy place to work”, says Sophie Hoff “We work hard, but we all have a lot of fun”.
The anniversary party saw over 70 people drop by to wish the business continued success.
It was the perfect time to launch their 2022 charitable partnership with All Saints CE Academy in Wyke Regis, part of the Ambitions Academies Trust.
Josephine explains, “We want to give back to the community and my children go to the school. So raising funds for equipment to help young people at the local school is the perfect starting point. For the next year, we will be donating 10p to the school for every cup of coffee we sell.”
Chair of the All Saints CE Academy PTA, Kim Newstead, welcomes the partnership.
Kim says,”Sourcing funding for essential equipment is always a battle. When a local business steps up to assist, it makes all the difference to the learning experience our young people receive. The monies raised during 2022 will go towards outside gym equipment, to promote a healthier lifestyle, and theatre lighting for the school drama and production department. We are delighted EBIKE Cafe @deheers is supporting our school.”
The busy business has even found time to run a competition.
Josephine explains,”To celebrate our first year of opening. We are holding a competition to guess the number of our ‘full circle’ coffees we have sold during the year. The winner will receive meal for two including a bottle of house wine, (T & C’s apply). Just pop into the cafe and leave your answer in the competition coffee sack. Entries close 4pm on 31st December 2021 and the entry closest to the answer will be announced in early January 2022.”
And in the spirit of recycling, Josephine adds, “For the keen gardeners out there, don’t forget to bring a bag to collect some used coffee grinds for your garden!”