By GEMMA BROWN

Published at 09:41, Friday, 12 March 2010

THE village store and coffee shop at the heart of community life in Matfen is on the market.

After almost three years of transforming the once struggling business into a thriving community hub, owners Austin and Lindsey Birney are looking for a new challenge.

But this time the couple, who relocated from Low Fell, in Gateshead, to take on the business, are looking for a new venture which will allow for family time with their 18-month-old daughter Daisy.

Lindsey said: “We have decided to sell the business -but it hasn’t been an easy decision to make. We are victims of our own success really because we have worked so hard to make this business work, but it is a seven days a week commitment, and we would just love to spent more time as a family.”

The couple made the escape from high pressure jobs after returning from their honeymoon in New York and stumbled across the business nestled in Matfen’s idyllic surroundings.

And after re-opening the coffee shop, which now doubles as an intimate bistro in the evenings for themed supper club nights and private parties, the business is relied on by villagers for everything from stocking up their cupboards to a venue for a slap up meal.

Lindsey said: “We have started to really enjoy the coffee shop side of the business as that seems to come more naturally to us and we have loved building up all the repeat business we now have.

“More than 150 people ate here at the different events we had going on over the Christmas period.

“I would like to think that taking on our own coffee shop business is what we could do next.”

Meanwhile the village store now has essential groceries, local products and cheeses, greeting cards, ice creams, and a range of wines.

There is also an “emergency wedding shopping area” to support the weddings at nearby Matfen Hall.

But the couple admit they couldn’t have done any of it without their two staff, head chef Stuart Pattinson from Hexham and part time shop assistant Helen Proudlock from Kirkheaton.

Lindsey said: “Stuart and Helen have proved absolutely invaluable to us, as have all the casual staff we have had in at different times.

“But unfortunately we just don’t feel that we can give the business as much of our time as it will undoubtedly require from spring onwards.”

The business is being sold by Christie Commercial Estate Agents.

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk