Three businesses run by mother and daughters create thriving hub in Leadenham

Following their mother's success in reopening Leadenham Post Office, two sisters have joined her to create a tea shop and florists, resulting in three flourishing businesses at the heart of the village.
From left - Katie Mace, Kirsty Kershaw and Karen Swift.From left - Katie Mace, Kirsty Kershaw and Karen Swift.
From left - Katie Mace, Kirsty Kershaw and Karen Swift.

Back at the start of 2013, Karen Swift used her previous experience at Brant Broughton and Coddington Post Offices, to reopen the Leadenham branch.

It underwent major renovations, thanks to a £10,000 Lincolnshire County Council rural grant, and £10,000 of the family’s own investment.

These improvements also enabled Karen’s two daughters, Katie Mace and Kirsty Kershaw, to join her and fulfil their dream of all working together. In September 2015, they opened Leadenham Teahouse at the Main Road site, following the sisters’ initial success with a coffee shop and deli in Nottingham. If this wasn’t enough,they have now just opened a third outlet, a flower and gift shop.

Leadenham Post Office, which now also has an adjoining tearoom and florists.Leadenham Post Office, which now also has an adjoining tearoom and florists.
Leadenham Post Office, which now also has an adjoining tearoom and florists.

“It’s lovely working together as a family, and we are all really passionate about having a lovely place for people to come,” said Katie. “We are exceptionally proud of what we’ve achieved so far and really excited about running our new business together.”

Katie highlights how well having a range of businesses at the same place has gone down with the public. “It’s really important that we diversify and have lots to offer,” she said. “One customer said that he thought it was fantastic how he could pick up his Euros, buy a card, a pack of local biscuits and sit watching the lambs grazing, while enjoying a great coffee.”

The family are thrilled to have kept a post office for the people of Leadenham, when other villages have lost the service. “It’s really important for all of us to try and secure the future of the post office. As my sister and I are promoting the tearoom, and now, the new flower and gift shop, all of that helps to increase footfall to the post office, with customers using their free cash withdrawal service along with other services.”

The new gift shop stocks luxury handmade candles, fresh hand-tied bouquets that can be made to order, quality greeting cards and wrapping. They will also be stocking homeware and textiles from Lincolnshire-based designer Sophie Allport.

For more details, visit www.leadenhamteahouse.co.uk