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Visit The Perch

Robyn Sutcliffe has recently opened an independent coffee shop
in Marlow called The Perch. It is family friendly, offers a separate
children's menu and always has toys, colouring and books available.
The Perch also offers craft and cooking sessions, and pottery painting. What's not to like? I caught up with Robyn...

Tell me about you and your family. Where do you live?

I grew up in South Bucks and moved back to the area a year ago so that I could set-up The Perch (an independent coffee shop in Marlow). I am currently living at home as setting up the business meant investing all my savings – it also means that I get the support of my parents without which I don't think that I could do this.

 

Tell me about your business

The business is an independent coffee shop, called The Perch, which is based in Marlow (91 High Street). We opened in April and have learnt a lot. After a busy summer,
I am now looking at ways to make the most of The Perch, which has included setting up children's activities such as pottery painting and cooking sessions, applying for an evening licence so that we can host events at night-time and getting an alcohol licence so that we can serve fizz with brunch.

 

Have you always been interested in doing this? What do you like about it the most?

Setting up a coffee shop of my own is something that I have had in the back of my mind for a long time now. I love the challenge of it, thinking about how to make it into a child/family-friendly venue (I have a Certificate of Education as well as a business degree and have always wanted to work with children, as this allows me to combine my love of baking/food with children) and meeting such a great mix of people.

 

What prompted you to decide to take it that bit further and start your
own business?

I have always wanted to run my own business. I decided last year that if I didn't take the plunge and do it now, then it may never happen. I'd rather try and fail than regret not giving it a go.

 

What did you do before?

Previously I worked in business development for an international law firm – my day to day was very different. I spent most of my time sat at a desk behind a computer. However, some of the marketing skills are definitely transferrable.

 

What is the best part of having your own business? And the worst? 

The best part of having my own business is also the worst – having complete control. It
is great in that I can make changes and implement new ideas without fighting internal policies/politics, but it also means I have to take responsibility for every aspect of the business from recruitment to marketing and even plumbing when the toilet plays up. There is never enough time in the day. I have learnt you have to celebrate the small victories because you are never going to clear that to-do list.

 

What's the best piece of art or baking that you've ever created?

The best piece I've made actually hasn't been for the coffee shop - it was earlier this year when I made my sister's three-tier wedding cake. It was a great challenge but when taking it to the venue, I have never driven so slowly to make sure it got there undamaged.

 

Where do you get your inspiration?

I get inspired by recipes. I spend a lot of time researching new ideas and trying them out. Earlier today I tried to create sweet potato toast – I wasn't a fan so won't be adding it to the menu. On the other hand, we have just added avocado toast to our brunch menu and customers seem to love it.

 

Anything we don't know about you? Any stories to share?

It isn't just in business I like to challenge myself. At the age of 20, I packed a bag and went off to Africa for a summer of travelling by myself. Along the way I learnt how to make bricks by hand and build a wall, threw myself down Victoria Falls in a bungee and on
the rapids, and did a night crossing to Zanzibar in a fishing boat (something I would
never recommend).

​

For more information, visit http://www.visittheperch.co.uk/

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