Cafe celebrates 15 years at Ipswich Waterfront with a new name and branding, but the same ownership.
A family-run cafe based on Ipswich Waterfront is celebrating 15 years in business.
While some businesses in the popular and developing area of Ipswich have come and gone, the Continental Colours Cafe has stood the test of time.
The family-owned and run firm recently celebrated its 15th anniversary with a cocktail party and birthday cake, and the cafe, which overlooks the marina, is now being re-branded as Coffee Cat.
Owner Kie Humphreys said: “It is amazing to think it is 15 years. We were one of the first businesses down here, I think there was just us and the Vodka Bar. That is part of Isaacs now.
“It was very different down here then.
“There was no Neptune Marina or university.
“Our customers were mainly from the Contship office and a few other businesses, and the college in the early days. People going to work in the area mainly. It has all changed now.
“Now you have mixture of clientele. The customers are tourists and visitors, residents and boat owners, students and lecturers from the universtiy.
“It is an enormous range of visitors.
“You have to do different things to suit the different customers. It has changed what we do.
“It is amazing how the area has changed over the years. It is lovely down here on a day like today.
“We had a great crowd of people supporting the Great East Run on the Sunday. It was great for the town. Waterfront events are good for the town.
“When we opened here there were no events for the first five years.
“It would be nice to get the occasional vintage markets down here again, which were popular.”
The family business was started by Kie and his sister Kiri, with the support of their parents Philip and Louise. The cafe opened its doors on September 23, 2002.
Kie added: “We were looking for something different for the name, and thought of continental cafe culture.”
However, now it is time for a change, he said.
The new Coffee Cat brand will be introduced at other businesses, including the Town Hall Cafe, which he also runs, and the Ipswich Central Cafe, and for outside catering. There will be a Coffee Cat Cafe in the Arts building of the University of Suffolk too.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here