A craft café in Dorchester uniting craftspeople across the town will be opening next month.

Jenny Cole, long-time Dorchester resident, has announced that her new business The Crafty Cuppa will be opening on High East Street on Thursday, May 25.

This café will provide a platform for artists to showcase their work and sell goods with rented shelves and gallery spaces in addition to providing to tea, coffee, and snacks. Music will also be provided by local buskers. 

Jenny is excited to open the café which she hopes will serve an artistic community hub.

She said: “The idea is to help combat loneliness. People can come and feel part of something. It’s about trying to incorporate much of the community as possible.”

It has been in development since September last year and is the latest venture for Jenny who has also been running a printing, illustrating, and designing service since 2014.

She hoped the café would open last year but was forced to delay the opening after further building work was required.

Dorset Echo: The Crafty Cuppa exterior on High East Street in DorchesterThe Crafty Cuppa exterior on High East Street in Dorchester (Image: Jenny Cole)

Now Jenny is feeling a strong sense of relief and achievement now a date has been fixed for The Crafty Cuppa’s grand opening.

She said: “Because it’s taken such a long time, you start to think, “is it going to happen?”. But now we have a date I feel a lot more excited now. I don’t want to let people down. So many people are looking forward to it so we’re desperate to open the doors.”

While studying jewellery and metallic work at university, Jenny noticed a general lack of venues and facilities for artists to be able to showcase their work.  

As such, she decided to start this café to provide a platform for local artists to have their work seen.

“I’ve always been creative, but I found when I left university there was a void where people were desperate for their work to be seen but had nowhere to show it. This is about helping others to get on the ladder and network. 

“I want to keep it as local as possible, there’s so much talent out there. I’m hoping people will feel like it’s a wonderful experience. It will be calming, different and not going to be like other coffee shops.

“This café focuses on the creative and there’s no judgement. People can bring their own crafts, come on their own or buy things. There’s something for everyone.”