St Michael at Plea becomes an SPCK Bookshop & Cafe
Relocating
The SPCK Resource Centre & the Forget-Me-Not Café moved to St Michael at Plea Church during July 2004. Previously the SPCK shop had been based at retail premises on Pottergate. Steve Foyster (manager) welcomed the move to the beautifully restored Norwich Church as it not only gave them a separate space to set up a café, but is was also in a perfect position being close to Norwich Cathedral and also on the tourist trail.
Although there was initially some concern that being located in a church may have been a barrier to potential customers (especially for the café) the reverse proved to be true with a number of visitors initially coming to look at the church architecture staying to buy. The fact that the church is so bright & welcoming with huge windows also helped.
Relocating to the Church has been economically beneficial not only to the business itself with turnover increasing by 20% but also to the Norwich economy where five new jobs have been created (11 employees work in the business) whilst 20% of visitors are tourists.
Opening up the church in this way has encouraged & enabled thousands to visit this architectural gem. The building averages 120 visitors a day during the year additionally over 1000 people have attended special events ranging from Burns Night to discussions & debates.
The Café
The Forget-Me-Not Café provides a comfortable setting in what was once the chancel of the church. The café is open all day for morning cofee, hot lunches and afternoon teas. It has gained such a good reputation that plans are afoot to expand into the graveyard with outside tables and seating. Not many cafés can offer such a unique eating experience as well as excellent food.
The Café is open Monday to Saturday.