It would be easy to miss a delightful little cafe where tea is drunk out of china cups in colourful quirky surroundings. The Red Kettle Cafe is tucked away behind a tailoring shop with a side entrance through bright red gates.
The menu is eclectic like the decor. Homemade sausages, meatballs and soup are served or for something lighter, customers will find croissants or sandwiches filled with smoked cheese, garlic sausage, salmon and cream cheese and BLT. Cakes are the work of a local baker, with generous slices of carrot, red velvet, fudge and chocolate and lemon drizzle.
They can be washed down by a good quality Italian coffee or one of the many teas. Choose from a no-nonsense English breakfast to something a little more out of the ordinary like blueberry or chilli chai.
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Both businesses are owned by Zara Rezapour and represent a test of endurance for the mum-of-two who came to the UK 27 years ago as a doctor. She had been working in a hospital in Iran, her first year as a registrar, and when she moved to this country with her husband the plan had been to continue her training to become a consultant gynaecologist.
But as so often happens life throws a curveball and plans go awry. In Zara's case it was the breakdown of her marriage and a divorce. Alone, with her young children, she refused to rely on benefits and set about earning a living as an interpreter for Nottingham City Council and the NHS.
But in 2015 she decided to follow her dream and became a tailor and seamstress, originally with premises in Wollaton Street in the city centre, called Cuffs of Nottingham. She was one of the first in Nottingham to measure clients using a laser.
When the rent became too expensive, she moved out to the suburbs and opened Red Button in Aspley four years ago. There she designs everything from suits to prom dresses, with a reputation that brings clients from as far as London, for her bespoke service.
It's been a long, tough journey to reach where she is now with the shop in Aspley Lane, and the tea room Red Kettle at the rear. She said: "I came to UK to train as a specialist but unfortunately the situation didn't work for me. I was alone here without any family. It was a tough decision, very very tough. My children were very, very young and I didn't have anybody help me at all. I started looking for a job, I never asked the government for any money. I have stood on my [own two] feet.
"I am happy here. In the beginning it wasn't a nice feeling. For years it took ages to accept myself - I'm not a doctor as a career any more but I have grown and learnt many things to become a better person and acceptance in life is one of the most important things.
"When people ask what I do, I'm a tailor, I'm a seamstress and a fashion designer, I accept that but it wasn't nice in the beginning to tell any of my colleagues. I love and respect myself, I am so grateful of what I've achieved and that's what makes me proud of myself. The title is not everything."
Her title may have changed from doctor to Aspley's "Red Button lady" as she is known locally, but Zara still has her medical licence in Iran, which allowed her to give online advice during the pandemic. When she wasn't doing that she was whipping up masks on the sewing machine.
Red Kettle opened in February in a former hair salon. The day the tenants left, Zara signed the lease and set about transforming it with luxurious velvet chairs in red, blue and green, pot plants, and eye-catching artwork.
"This is my dream. Everything has to be perfect. It's very clean, tidy and cosy. I wanted people to feel like it's a home - this is not like a commercial cafe. The price to be honest, I keep it very low. When my customers come in I know what they like and don't like. It's a friendly, healthy cafe," added Zara, who avoids using too much sugar or fat in her dishes.
Opening the cafe hasn't been without challenges. Zara's inexperience in the hospitality industry and all its rules and regulations initially led to a hygiene rating of one when she first opened. But seven months later she has made major improvements and is confident when the inspector next visits, the ranking will be much higher. "It has cost me a lot. Everything they asked for, I've done it," she said to reassure customers.
Since her arrival in the UK and knowing no one, she's gone on to make some loyal friends, including 75-year-old Elizabeth Thraves, who introduced her to Whittard's Tea and came up with the name Red Kettle for the cafe.
Elizabeth said: "We couldn't have Cafe Rouge as it's already been taken. The cafe is unique. It's got her stamp on it. The number of people who come in and say they didn't know it was here. A friend of mine brought in an alb (a long white tunic) from church to get it altered and she said 'I didn't really know about the cafe' and she only lives around the corner."
Happy to have discovered the cafe is regular Rachel Thomas, who said: "It's quirky and quaint. The owner is a friendly lady and has extensive knowledge on all her products
"I was pleasantly surprised by the location and decor. I have been back multiple times, enjoying each and every visit as much as my first trip. My favourite is the lemon cheesecake or red velvet cake."
Customer Kirsty Williams, 38, of Beechdale, said: "It's a lovely little cafe, tucked away. The service is excellent, she makes you feel welcome, I can come on my own."
Kirsty stumbled across the cafe while taking her little boy to Melbourne Park for an activity week during half term. "I walked to the shops and saw the board for it outside. I love a latte so I thought let me try one and I've been hooked ever since." The cafe is open every day except Sunday.
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