A vintage and “quintessentially English” tearoom that serves cocktails in the evening is to open an Altrincham venue in the spring, creating at least 10 new jobs.
Sugar Junction has built a loyal following for its Northern Quarter tearoom in Manchester city centre since opening in 2011.
And after asking its social media community to suggest the site for its first new outlet, Altrincham was the unanimous verdict.
“We asked whether we should go north or south of Manchester,” said founder Alex Watts. “We had a huge reaction for Altrincham so we thought that’s it, we’ve got to go for it.”
The company is now renovating the former Johnson Cleaners unit on Stamford New Road and expects to be ready to open by April/May.
Work at Altrincham SJ is going well. False ceiling removed. Old plaster removed. Just cleaning up these beauties pic.twitter.com/4geebCpsvR
— Sugar Junction (@sugarjunction) January 4, 2016
Watts described his new-concept tearoom as “quintessentially English” with a vintage twist, combining teas, coffees, scones, homemade cakes and light lunches – all using local suppliers – with bespoke cocktails that will be served until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. It will open until 9pm during the week.
Cocktails on its Northern Quarter menu include the Gin Sling, which involves “house gin shaken with Triple Sec, Benedictine, China Gunpowder tea syrup, lime juice and thyme syrup”.
Watts said the idea had originally sprung from the difficulty he had finding somewhere on a Saturday where it was possible to sit down, relax and enjoy a memorable experience.
Work on the 1,007 sq ft Altrincham site is underway, and Watts said it would have “loads of character” and a “lovely high ceiling” when completed. It will only use local suppliers.
He added: “I’m terrified but massively excited at the same time.”
