Go Furness

Never mind Love, Have a Nice Cuppa Tea

Dougie and Shirley opened Gillam’s Tea Rooms in July 06 and have never looked back. The business has thrived through two wet summers and the ‘credit crunch’ so far. Maybe it’s because a good cuppa is such great British remedy for every ailment! It’s the type of place that you can go in and feel as though you are stepping back in history to an age when we all hurried less. The place is always heaving with the usual regular suspects and visitors all wanting proper tea and wholesome quality food. It is vegetarian, although not the mung bean variety and it took me a long time to realise that it actually was vegetarian. I use Gillam’s for my daytime town appointments and although it is busy, there is always a little quiet space and the perfect atmosphere to hold informal meetings. In the summer, the tea garden is just beautiful.

Dougie initially studied Environment and Development and Shirley studied Fine Art, both at UCLAN although they didn’t know each other then. Dougie is also an extremely gifted musician and has contributed hugely to the cultural wealth of the area with private tuition, performances and his long-standing involvement with the Barracudas. Shirley, who has a passion for baking, an artistic eye and a background in horticulture brought a different set of skills that dove-tail beautifully with Dougie’s. Both have had experience working in catering arenas in one way or another since school and Dougie runs his own business. Neither are afraid of hard work or taking risks.

Before they opened Gillam’s, they had a lovely home and garden that they sold and then bought the building that needed a lot of work. They lived in it with their two children while they knocked down and restored it, taking care to retain or replace original features. Interestingly, Dougie’s family have historically all been involved in the food industry and his grandfather (also a drummer) used to work in his uncle’s grocery shop across the road where the Evening Mail office now is. Shirley’s grandmother was a confectioner. They have not only created a very traditional English feel to the tea rooms, but they have also used recipes from both families and pride themselves in putting on a traditional English menu. You don’t just go to Gillam’s for a great cup of tea, you get to feel part of the rich tapestry of Furness Tradition. The Heritage Centre was kind enough to donate many items of curiosity that are now scattered around the place adding to the sense of history.

Dougie and Shirley have also selected fine teas, contemporary and traditional tea pots, and other little quality gifts and treats that make the place look great but are also for sale. They have also done a lot for the town, creating a beautiful shop inside and out and supporting many individuals and projects as they go. They do a great job of supporting the school with student placements and offer summer employment to local students on breaks from university.

The breaking news on Market Street is that the entrepreneurial duo are now developing a second establishment within the next four weeks for rental. There is much suspense, intrigue and interest as to what that shop might be selling…very exciting. Dougie was giving nothing away yet although he was waiting for the new shop front. You will also find them at the Ulverston Dickensian Festival with 25 blends of quality loose tea. They have quickly realised that one of the keys to success in business is diversification and seizing every available opportunity.

So what are their secrets? Why are they expanding when so many other businesses are seriously worried?

• They are passionate about good food and proper tea and really believe in what they are doing.
• They are passionate about retaining British traditions.
• They have good self-awareness and therefore it is safe to trust their intuitions and take risks when the get the gut-felt go-ahead!
• They have stickability when things are tough.
• They have vision and can see gaps in the market. Although there were already a number of cafes in town, they knew that what they were setting up was unique and that there was definitely a space in a traditional market town for traditional tea rooms.
• They love the area and are passionate about making a really positive contribution to the community tradition.

In addition to all those great things, Dougie has a wicked sense of humour so some of our chat has had to be edited!! Maybe this is one of the reasons that it is as popular with the young people as it is with the ‘more mature’ customers. But as I said before, it’s not just a cup of tea you are getting at Gillam’s!

If you haven’t been, go in, try your favourite tipple, sit by the traditional wood-burning stove and enjoy the Olde English atmosphere. Gillam’s is open all day everyday and they often have quality music/evening meal nights too.

So have a cuppa, watch out for the website (soon to be launched) and the new shop on Market St.

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Posted by Kay Hebbourn on 5th November.