Cafe Main

My family and I have built up quite a collection of ceramics from Sticky Earth over the years, and have never been disappointed with the service or the resulting items (though admittedly the quality of the painting has improved with age in some cases!). I have also found the quality of the glazing at Sticky Earth to be far superior to any other ceramic café I have visited. The staff have always been no less than fantastic, and are always willing to go above and beyond for their customers. They are helpful and informative, as well as friendly and encouraging and really take the time to ensure their visitors are happy. Obviously during the busiest times there is only so much time the staff can dedicate to each table, however there are also only so many staff members you can fit behind the café counter. There has to be a compromise, and considering that each table needs the painting (or other activity) explaining to them as well as café service, and cleaning up after– plus all the other aspects involved in the running of the place, I think the staff do a wonderful job. When we have been kept waiting slightly longer than usual in the past, we have received a sincere apology. Though any person with a little common sense can see that the staff are under a lot of pressure and doing their best! This is not a particularly cheap activity, but then again I should imagine it is not particularly cheap to buy and hand painted, personalised ceramic item anywhere and I think the price is fair. If money’s a bit tight, there is the option to ‘decopatch’ or paint with acrylics– gluing and sticking or painting onto wooden items respectively. This does work out cheaper and the decopatch is surprisingly therapeutic. I absolutely adore sticky earth café, and quite frankly find these negative reviews pretty ridiculous. Why is it that people only decide they have something to say when they aren’t happy? It is unfair and unbalanced as whining on the Internet just gives a bad name to good places. It seems it only occurs to people to write negative reviews, never positive. Overall I would say this is a brilliant way to spend a rainy day. Although bad weather means a high volume of customers so booking in advance may be an idea. If you are precious about waiting time, don’t want to share the staff, or want a more relaxing experience, this is also a brilliant way to spend a sunny day!

Café Main is a friendly café where the food is well cooked and the menu is set to reflect the better than average setting of the café. The owner takes great pride in maintaining a high standard of hygiene and good service. There is seating inside and out and it is usually busy.

The Sticky Earth Café is a wonderful way to spend some time, if you’re creative, have children, or need to find an indoor activity
during rough weather. You can simply come into the relaxed atmosphere for a latte, cake and lounge on the sofa, but I’m sure you wouldn’t be there for long without wondering which object you’d like to decorate as a gift or for your home.
There are shelves full of white unpainted pottery items, ornaments, mugs, plates, bowls, trinket boxes, with prices to fit your pocket. There is a studio fee of £2.99 which covers the materials and firing in the kiln. Once you’ve chosen your item, the friendly staff will let you know how to begin and if you’re lost for ideas, there’s a lot of source material to inspire you.
The thing I love about being there is the way staff are always there to help the people that need it, yet know when to leave alone. The atmosphere is friendly and customers enjoy watching and chatting to each other too.
The disadvantage is that whatever you’ve created, can’t be taken away then and there because everything needs to be put into the kiln and fired. This takes a few days depending on how busy and quickly the kiln is full.
I once had an 80^th birthday gift that was sent on for me, and actually beat me to my destination in Kent, which shows that staff will go that extra bit to keep their customers happy.
Other activities catered for are birthday parties for both old and young, and children’s craft groups.
Any unfinished work can be continued on another day without any extra studio fee.
The café is limited to mainly selling drinks and quality cakes.