Bright start for family
COB SHOP’S NEW ERA WITH BOSSES WHO WANT TO STAND OUT
A WELL-KNOWN Nottingham cob shop has been taken over by a family with years in the hospitality trade.
It’s been a hectic but important time for the Hutchings family who got the all clear and completed the purchase of the Crusty Cob in Castle Boulevard a week ago.
Since then, mum Danni, 41, dad Andy, 48, and their three children Scarlet, 16, Jasmine, 13, and William, 6, have spent their time getting ready for yesterday’s big opening day.
The last week has been spent repainting and decorating the shop from its former blue to bright yellow with new signs, plants and outdoor tables.
Heartbreak struck when Andy was made redundant from his job as a restaurant manager at Ask Italian in Ashby-de-la-zouch in July.
“It was a huge blow. None of us were expecting it,” said Andy.
“Covid has been really hard on the industry.
“I was on a call with 1,500 others and we were told right there we were losing our jobs.”
Andy and family were persuaded by Danni’s mum to look at setting up on their own.
“We’ve moved around a lot due to the hospitality business, working in different pubs and restaurants for the last 13 years,” said Andy.
“Scarlet has had to move homes and schools so many times. Danni’s mum suggested starting out on our own and being our own bosses and we haven’t looked back.”
Danni, who also works as a psychotherapist and hypnotherapist on Derby Road in the city, said: “We’ve gone with new signs and a new look in colour.
“I really wanted it to stand out from the crowd.
“We’ve also got Crusty the Cob in the window designed by my niece, Lauren Barnett. We’re really excited to get going with it.
“There’s been lots of interest with messages asking when we’re opening. We think it’s been a cob shop for 30 years or so.”
The menu includes cooked breakfasts, cold cobs, toasties, salads, burgers and jacket potatoes all made to order.
The family are also working with well-known Nottingham companies such as 200 Degrees Coffee and The Beeston Brownie Company providing tasty treats.
There are also plans to work with Just Eat to provide deliveries to the student market and workers in the area.