New coffee shop in Dersingham has 'record breaking first week'

Biagio's says it's 'lucky to be in a village that comes out and supports'

"It's been absolutely incredibly busy, we are so, so grateful. Everybody has been so supportive and lovely. Day one we opened it was snowing, we weren't expecting anybody, but people came - it was fantastic."

It's a week since Alex Biagioni and Tony Hares relocated their family business along Manor Road, and reviews so far from customers compliment the 'relaxing atmosphere' and 'excellent coffees and delicious cakes'.

I meet Alex as she's busily preparing for the day ahead, "We've had a record breaking week for Biagio's in total," she tells me, "It's been a week of chaos but in the best way, and it's been an exhausting week, but in the best way. We're so lucky to be in a village that comes out and supports."

The couple started their business in 2022 after buying a horsebox, then ran a successful store in East Rudham.

"We like a challenge," Alex adds,  "We had the other place running until the 23rd of December, and Tony was here trying to renovate alongside my dad, I was coming after work too."

It's a new lease of life for the space - after Petals Tea Room was taken over in 2024 then sadly closing in September due to unpaid debts.

The couple have signed a 5 years lease, and want to 'ground ourselves here for even longer'.

"We love the village - and the community - so when the opportunity came to be here - we just jumped at the chance," says Alex.

"It's been a hard slog to get here - an emotional rollercoaster getting here. But now we're here I think we're all incredibly happy for the future and looking forward to growing the business in a new village."

The menu's appealing - from the Italian coffee to the home made cakes and sandwiches.

Alex says she's excited to welcome new and old customers, "We said from the beginning, we don't want to be just another coffee shop, never wanted to be somewhere where you come in and you're forgotten about.  

"We always wanted to be a community, a family - because we care about each person that comes in."