CAFE owners taking on an historic site in the Malvern Hills have said the response has been “phenomenal”.
Shona Kelly and Jon White hadn’t always planned to take on The Kettle Sings on Jubilee Drive but said they “fell in love” with the former tearoom after visiting it for the first time.
The couple are well-known in Malvern, having founded Faun bakery and café, initially on Church Street.
The café later moved into a larger site on Worcester Road, and the pair have gone on to add another branch at the Morgan Experience Centre on Spring Lane, as well as a wine bar on Belle Vue Terrace.
READ MORE: Bakery’s new wine bar latest in series of new openings on Belle Vue Terrace
What can visitors expect from the new Faun site?
Ms Kelly said the new site at The Kettle Sings will have both a café element, as well as a bar and restaurant, with views overlooking the countryside.
“We heard the place was potentially becoming available,” she said. “We have always loved and admired it with those gorgeous views.
“We went and had a look and absolutely fell in love with the space and thought we have got a real chance to bring it back to life.”
It’s understood that The Kettle Sings closed in around January 2025, with Ms Kelly saying the closure marked a “real loss” for Malvern.
According to its website, the tearoom started life as a workman’s cottage in the early 20th century.
In 1928, it was enlarged to become a tearoom.
READ MORE: Couple drop in to Malvern bakery with BBC’s Escape to the Country
Excitement from locals
After revealing that Faun would be taking it on, Ms Kelly said hundreds of people shared their excitement.
The café owner admits that taking on such a cherished place is “daunting” but has vowed to keep the its legacy alive.
“The closure has been a real loss and everyone has been sad that it’s been closed,” she said.
“The response has been incredible. It’s been phenomenal.
“The most daunting thing is everyone has got this nostalgia about it and hold it in such high regard.
“We want to to pay our respects and pay homage to the heritage of the site.
“We are very excited.”
Work is well underway to transform the site, with the owners hoping to open in just a few weeks’ time.
A confirmed opening date is yet to be revealed but is expected to be in October.
