The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Cafes unite to offer city shoppers sweet treats
TWO local cafes are collaborating to bring an array of handmade cakes and treats to the heart of the revamped Newcastle Quays Retail Park.
Sangeeta Chopra, the owner of Namaste Taste of India Cafe at the shopping centre, has joined forces with Emily Cromarty and Rachel Holmes from R Place Cafe in North Shields.
The trio’s professional relationship blossomed after a chance meeting at a coffee morning hosted by the North Tyneside Business Forum. Sangeeta, who is the Vice Chair of the Forum, explained that she had moved premises in the Outlet Centre and that she was looking to expand her menu, in order to sell home-made, sweet treats for her new cafe.
Emily, a chef with a decade of experience, and Rachel, with a background in sales and customer service, founded R Place in October 2017.
The cafe quickly became a cornerstone of the North Shields community, fostering a warm and welcoming atmosphere that set it apart from chain coffee shops.
The cafe has even ventured into unconventional celebrations, offering bespoke dog birthday parties.
The handmade treats, including doughnuts and cakes, are crafted with care, reflecting Emily’s transition from chef to baker. Emily explained that all of the pastries and cakes in R Place are homemade and baked fresh each day. Sangeeta had identified a gap in her menu and, after meeting the pair, asked them to be her sweet suppliers.
Sangeeta said: “It’s amazing how busy I can be when the cruise ships are in. It seems that the crews talk to each other, and I have queues of people waiting for authentic Asian food. I also cater for western palates too hence the supply of the beautiful cakes from R Place.”
Rachel added: “Since opening in 2017, we’ve become ingrained in the local community.
“It’s heart-warming to know our regulars by name and witness the strong sense of community in North Shields.
“We’ve embraced the sense of community here. We actively engage with other local businesses and support each other. It’s a unique experience that sets us apart.
“We’re delighted to work with Sangeeta and expand our products into Newcastle Quays.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to share our creations with a broader audience.”
We’ve embraced the sense of community here... we actively engage with other local businesses Rachel Holmes