How we started
Our founders, Charlie and Fran, with their kids
We first had the idea for what has become Roots & Berries in the summer of 2013.
We loved visiting our local Common, spending time with family, friends or just ourselves with our two little children. Like so many, we would spend a lot of our time off work on walks and relaxing in London’s famous, and sometimes not so famous, green spaces.
Yet we noticed that often the café in these places struggled to keep up with the number of customers or to serve food and drinks that were as special as their beautiful and cherished, natural surroundings.
Then we realised how important these cafés could be to the local community, not just for providing a great place to stop for a refreshment or a bite to eat, but as a place to gather, for shelter when the heavens open, somewhere to meet and discuss or just a natural place to have a breather and take a break from city life.
We thought not only could they be special, but that they really should be special.
So we took the plunge, said goodbye to our comfy careers, and with a LOT of help from friends, family and our own wonderful community, started a business, which today runs a growing family of cafés in some of London’s loveliest neighbourhoods.
The Skylark Café on Wandsworth Common
The Rookery Café on Streatham Common
It’s been quite a journey, and in many ways it’s just the start.
As individuals, as a company and with all those that we work with, we’ve learned and created so much. Never has community been more important, and we’re so excited for the future and what it holds for these special green spaces and our family of cafés within them.
Thank you for taking the time to read, we hope you enjoy learning a little about Roots & Berries, and look forward to welcoming you soon.
The Stables Café at Orleans House