New cafe for Melvin Square

By Community Reporter Claudia Kosch

Main picture: New owners Darren Pool and his parter Sophie Crook outside the newly opened Melvin Munch.

A new café opened its doors on Melvin Square this month – and is being supported by local people who don’t want to travel too far.

Melvin Munch opened on 4 November on the site of the former Conoisseur Café which closed over a year ago. 

It is run by former resident Darren Pool (38), and his partner Sophie Crook (34), from Brislington – who hope the café will help draw people to Melvin Square. 

Darren told The Knowledge: “We came to Knowle West because the area needed it, there has always been a café here for years. 

“I was born and grew up in Knowle West, it’s coming back home… We’re trying to make it locally accessible and fairly priced…”

Sophie who used to work in a café in Broadwalk said: “A lot of people were coming to Broadwalk as they said there were not many places locally to eat.

“I’ve been wanting to do something myself for a while and there was an opportunity here.

“People have been positive so far and say they are glad it’s back open and they hope it lasts…”

The pair say the early morning breakfasts and omelettes are proving popular and their menu also includes home cooked lunches such as pies and lasagne.

Sophie added: “We have our own allotment where we grow veg so we’ll be using some of it in the cafe, like salads, potatoes and corn.”

The couple already have some gluten-free cakes and are planning to add more recipes. They are also looking into home deliveries following demand – and hope to offer roast dinners on Sundays in the future.

Customer Chelsea Pater (25) who came in with her friends for breakfast said she was glad to have a local café on Melvin Square again.

 She said: “It’s on my doorstep, I used to come here all the time before. I haven’t got to travel far to get a breakfast now.”

Melvin Munch is open from 7.30am – 2.30pm, Monday to Saturday.