New plans have been revealed for what was once known as Nottingham's 'best secret'. Quintessential English tea room Thea Caffea could reopen as a micro pub and tap room if the proposals are approved.
The vintage cafe, with a chequered black and white floor and pretty vintage crockery, gained the nickname since it was hidden away at Enfield Chambers, off Low Pavement - under the archway next to Cartwheel coffee shop and what used to be Peter's shoemakers.
The property has been vacant for more than a year since the cafe's sudden closure. Nigel Patton, of Bantha Bars, has made the application for change of use to Nottingham City Council.
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As well as drinks, the micro pub would offer food. The document states: "The location was previously a licensed cafe, but has been empty for some time, during which the premises licensing has expired. We plan to open a Micro Pub/Taproom and therefore require a change of use for the premises."
Thea Caffea first opened in 2012 and quickly built up a good reputation for its lunches and afternoon tea. Celebrity chef Rick Stein once complimented the afternoon tea at the 86-seater tea room.
The original owner left in 2019 after a series of obstacles including floods, leaks, break-ins, power cuts and customers who had run off without paying. But it was the closure of surrounding businesses and the demise of Broadmarsh leading to declining footfall, coupled with increasing overheads, which hit the business hardest forcing it to close.
New owners wanting to make it a tea room by day and wine and cocktail bar in the evenings with live music stepped in, just as the pandemic hit in 2020. The reopening was put back because of lockdowns. In July 2021, the cafe was finally able to open its colourful floral courtyard when restrictions allowed operators to serve customers in outdoor spaces.
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