Leighton Buzzard's Room No.9 celebrates 25th anniversary

Room No.9, High Street, will be treating customers on Saturday (June 6), offering them the chance to enjoy a glass of fizz and take part in a raffle.

Proprietor Caroline Gates hopes to see familiar faces both past and present - and credits all her "wonderful staff" and "wonderful customers" with making the quarter-century so special.

She told the LBO: "25 years ago, I walked past a shop in town that was empty, and thought, I could do something with that. (I hadn't worked while my children were growing up.)

"I opened a little shop full of beautiful things - and the cafe - and the rest is history."

Room No.9 is a lifestyle store, boasting a curated range of clothing, homewares, gifts, cards and art supplies.

Meanwhile, the cafe upstairs sells "homemade, wholesome food", including everyone's favourite: scones!

On staying strong during challenging times for the High Street, Caroline said: "I try to move with the times. I'm not complacent, but I think you have to work hard at it.

"We offer lots of useful products and wholesome food at affordable prices, and try and keep things interesting, keeping the stock rotating.

"We have lots of loyal customers - people who have been coming in since day one."

Caroline describes her 25 years at the helm as "very rewarding".

Her background is in catering, and the businesswoman used to run her own company, first serving small parties, and eventually big weddings and events.

After a career break to raise her children, she founded Room No.9 in 2001 and rented a unit two doors up from where it's currently based.

Requiring more space, they bought its current premises around four years later.

Meanwhile, during the pandemic, Caroline kept community at her heart and made sure her elderly customers were looked after.

"I'm very positive, and never let anything get me down," she added.

A family affair, all Caroline's six children, six grandchildren, and four goddaughters have worked in the shop.

Caroline added: "I'm proud of the relationships that have formed here and the fact that lots of youngsters who came to work here are still friends now in their 30s, and still come to see us.

"Thank you to all the amazing customers who have been loyal and supported us over the years, to the wonderful staff past and present who made it possible, and for the support they gave me."

The shop is open on Saturday from 9am until 5pm and both an alcoholic glass of champagne or a non alcoholic alternative will be available.

Raffle tickets are free, and as a nod to the business name, there will be nine £25 vouchers up for grabs.

Visit the Room No.9 website or Facebook page to find out more about the shop and cafe.