Traditional UK TEA & CAKE shop to OPEN in GIRNE What do WE all Think??

Tyd13


Joined: 16/01/2012
Posts: 4

Message Posted:
16/01/2012 07:12

Hey guys me and my wife to be are moving from london to cyprus hopefully in early 2013, we really want to pursue our dream of opening a traditional english tea and cake shop in our favourite place NORTH CYPRUS!.



What do we all think of



Freshly baked:



Hot cross buns



Pasties



Bread



Scones



Muffins



Cupcakes



Pastries



Pies



Crumbles



A veriety of cakes to order for special occasions



A large selection of tea



Different blends of coffee



And some quick snacks for lunch.



We would really love to hear some feedback from all of the people who live in and around girne, and we are open to any suggestions you guys would like to see on the menu

Thanks....

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
16/01/2012 08:33

China cups/ mugs/comfy seating/ clean presentable loos/ nice views.

Happy Hussar


Joined: 01/10/2008
Posts: 318

Message Posted:
16/01/2012 08:34

Wot, No Kebabs?

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
16/01/2012 08:58

We already have places like that here.

pammick


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 722

Message Posted:
16/01/2012 09:00

Your dream will be fraught with nightmares but I wish you all the best. Do not expect it to be easy. Not being negative just realistic, I really do wish you luck!

Pam

seeker


Joined: 14/12/2011
Posts: 57

Message Posted:
16/01/2012 09:15

Of course the english will come and the turkish too. Keep focussed you will do well

kaiserphil


Joined: 14/12/2008
Posts: 1096

Message Posted:
16/01/2012 10:21

Sausage rolls, really miss them.

cyprusairsoft



Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 2066

Message Posted:
16/01/2012 10:57

you have some competition

beautychick


Joined: 20/12/2011
Posts: 107

Message Posted:
16/01/2012 15:04

As long as you have good food, comfy chairs, clean toilets and reasonable prices your bound to do well. Good luck.



Bc

mikelapta



Joined: 20/11/2008
Posts: 2186

Message Posted:
16/01/2012 15:10

When in UK,over 3 years ago,I loved going to the Cotswolds,Broadway etc.and enjoyed The English tea shops.



Now,I love the Cypriot "Tavuk wrap or kebab ".I don't think I would enjoy the toasted tea cake,or scones with jam and cream,any more.



Horses for courses,me thinks



Mike

chrism


Joined: 27/10/2008
Posts: 1465

Message Posted:
16/01/2012 15:43

All these delicous things are already available here, try Cupcakes in Ozankoy Village,

Tyd13


Joined: 16/01/2012
Posts: 4

Message Posted:
16/01/2012 16:17

Thanks for all of the feedback so far guys this is really helpful,

All we want is to try our hardest to create a nice clean comforting place for us all to sit down relax and unwind.

There will be fresh sausage rolls, free wifi and a whole lot more....

Once again thanks for the realistic feedback this is exactly what we need.....

cypriotStudnt


Joined: 09/10/2011
Posts: 28

Message Posted:
01/02/2012 13:35

Opening a new &running a shop can be really hard for foreigners in this bloody country.

Clarissa2


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 1476

Message Posted:
01/02/2012 14:12

Re: Msg 1,



Please keep inedible British food within the British shores - no need to export it elsewhere.

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
01/02/2012 15:11

Why is Clarissa2 being so negative I wonder? If she feels that way best to say nothing.

I wish that new venture all success, and next time we are over in Girne will look it up.

Geoff

Famagusta City.

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
01/02/2012 15:20

Geoff. They are not going there until 2013 a long wait then.

Clarissa2


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 1476

Message Posted:
01/02/2012 15:34

Re: Msg 15,

Sorry Geoff, a thought of English cuisine always leaves me in despair.



Well, you are lucky enough to have Petek Patisserie in Famagusta.

JohhnyLee


Joined: 25/04/2009
Posts: 2495

Message Posted:
01/02/2012 16:03

I don't think it is just negativity, people try to advise for the best but how many people listen.



People come here with good intentions and big plans and then blow there dough. (pardon the pun).



I am not negative I love it here. But I am realist and a buisnessman.



In Nutshell . I don't think you have a chance. Keep your money in the bank.



How many people run bar's and restaurants and work their socks off can honestly say they are doing well and making profit.



If you do not own your shop or bar and you have virtually 6 months of very little trade but you still have to pay rent.



Also remember there are English pastry's, Sausage Rolls and Pies a plenty and some very good ones ,normally very expensive and out of many peoples reach.



Remember a lot of people here are not very well off.



Please note I am not trying to put a downer on your plans, It is just that your dream will probably turn into a night mare.



Then there are all the Set up costs to consider.

mikelapta



Joined: 20/11/2008
Posts: 2186

Message Posted:
01/02/2012 16:23

Lee's comments are spot on.

You will need a Cypriot partner,too !!!

So many food establishments close down every year,usually they have not made enough profits in the summer

months.

Too many Brits go back to UK or warmer countries in the Winter months.And after this very cold January,I,for one will not be here next January.

The season is from April to September,the other 6 months you will not make much of a profit.

When interest rates were 20+% Brits here were spending money.Now at 9% we are getting by

After 3 years living here full time,I am used to Cypriot food.If I wanted a snack in Girne,I would opt for a nice kebab,or kofte.

I'm not sure you could source,say,Devonshire cream here.

As Lee says,keep your money save in the Bank,and think of another idea



Mike

cyprusman3



Joined: 09/06/2009
Posts: 297

Message Posted:
01/02/2012 17:43

The above comments are very realistic unfortunately !!!

Marion


Joined: 06/03/2011
Posts: 1816

Message Posted:
01/02/2012 18:13

Have to agree with Johnny Lee and others. I don't think you will get much other than headaches and possible bankrupcy. Businesses come and go faster than the weather changes. And for people like me who LOVE cakes who also have a cholesterol challenge and a weight challenge, would not DARE indulge enough to give you a profit to live by.

If you are coming here with enough money - come on over and observe the scene for yourself and tthen try to decide if there is a gap in the market you could fill - and where.

Don;'t want to be negative, but would hate for you to have all your wonderfl dreams turned into nightmares, and give you a nasty taste of Cypriot life.

The rentts are phenomenal, and for me, I love the Mediterranean diet, which leaves out the goodies but keeps my waistline within a good BMI. good luck

tania


Joined: 09/12/2011
Posts: 116

Message Posted:
01/02/2012 18:21

Reading all the posts stating the pitfalls to be encountered, why not try selling your wares at some of the markets and then you will get an idea as to how popular you adventure would be? No overheads - except hiring a stall, and no real headaches if it was to fail.Just an idea!

imposoliedus


Joined: 16/01/2012
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
01/02/2012 18:26

unless you are a tradesman baker , you will never do it. if this is a way of making money,do not bother, you can get 9 % in interest on your money without moving a bone.there have been too many brits go under with their sunshine thinking, It does make me wonder why any one would want to spend hours in a kitchen bakery when its 45 deg outside