Banner photo for the news story 'The Cafe - Our May Business of the Month'

Based on 'upper' Castle Street, the colourful, friendly cafe also serves a range of dishes, cakes and treats throughout the day. They have also launched a new German night on Friday nights. Taking place each Friday night throughout May 2019....

Here, we chat to owner Vicky Hodgkinson, who took over the business 20 months ago…

1) What’s your name(s) and how long have you been running for?


My Name is Vicky Hodgkinson and I have been running The Cafe for 20 months. I hope to get past the two year hurdle in four months.

2) What’s your typical day like?

My typical day is shopping, preparing food, cleaning, cooking, talking a lot, updating social media, ordering, accounts and admin. Every day is different and always busy.

3) What can we expect from The Cafe in the next few months?


On Fridays, we are transforming The Cafe into a German Night Cafe, where we will be serving home-cooked, authentic German dishes using quality ingredients. I used to live in Germany and I really miss the German food, so this is a new and exciting venture for me and I hope people in Hinckley warm to the dishes too.

We are also providing buffets for parties and businesses. I'm also hoping to get a new website up and running, in the near future.

4) What do you most love about what you do?

What I love the most about my job is the people and cooking.

5) What’s your biggest seller?


Our biggest seller is The Full English Breakfast. Our customers always compliment them. It's taken time and a lot of effort to get our breakfasts to where they are. It's our biggest achievement since opening The Cafe.

6) What made you decide to start your own business?

I lived in Italy for a few years, due to my husband’s work, so when I returned to the UK I decided that it would be nice to work for myself. After looking around for a business, I decided to buy The Cafe.

7) What’s your biggest achievement so far?


My family.

8) What’s your advice for someone wanting to start their own business?


Be resourceful, strong-minded, passionate and try to stand out.

9) What’s your favourite thing about Hinckley?


The people - they are very friendly, which you don't see in most places. I also love the independent businesses and different restaurants.

10) Tell us something we wouldn’t know about you…


I used to be an extra and appeared in a few films and TV programmes. I absolutely loved it. I had a very boring full-time job at the time, so I had a go at being an extra which was far more interesting and fun.

11) Where can people find you?


Upper Castle Street - you can't miss us. Or visit our Facebook or Instagram @the_cafe_hinckley

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