Well-known business makes move across Chesterfield town centre to new home

The Vintage Tea Rooms has swapped Beetwell Street for Steeplegate, in the Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, but wants to remain Chesterfield’s quirkiest place for tea, coffee and a slice of cake.

Owner Sharon Hilton says she has been busy adding final touches to her new premises as she continues to provide takeaways – and hopes to reopen for outdoor service when restrictions ease next month.

"It’s a modern building but we’ll be making sure we keep that vintage vibe,” Sharon said.

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"We needed to move because of the age of the building we were in. It hasn’t been a move caused by the pandemic, but it was a good opportunity to make it.”

Sharon previously worked as the chef for the former owners of the tearooms back in 2014.

After working there for more than three-and-a-half years, Sharon was presented with the opportunity to buy the business, and on November 1, 2017, she become the new owner.

Repeated lockdowns during the past year have made life difficult for hospitality venues across the country – and only this month another well-known Chesterfield business, Stephensons Tea and Coffee House, was forced to close for good.

Sharon admits the pandemic has been a ‘nightmare’. Even though she has opened for takeaway this only makes the same amount of money in a week that she would hope to earn in a day during normal times.

The tea rooms provided takeaway boxes for Mother’s Day and is also introducing grazing and picnic boxes for people to collect.

"We do our best with takeaways but our customers really come to us for the atmosphere we create with our dine-in service,” Sharon added.

"A lot of people come in to have a look at the new place and everyone who does says they just want to sit somewhere, have a coffee and meet a friend again.”

Shaun Brown, centre manager at Vicar Lane, said he was ‘incredibly excited’ to be welcoming The Vintage Tea Rooms.

He added: "Sharon is looking forward to welcoming both old and new customers soon, when the doors to the quirky tearooms are able to officially open for business.’’

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