Roostys bakery celebrates opening of second venue at Broadstairs campus site

The Roostys team and Nelson College London director Nazim Uddin declare the venue open

Roostys bakery has opened the doors of its second venue at the Nelson College London campus in Broadstairs – formerly the Canterbury Christ Church site – marking a major expansion in just the fifth year of trade.

The business, headed up by Andy and Hanna Roost, began at the former Buttercups bakery in Belmont Road in 2019 when previous owners Steve and Carol Fennell retired.

Andy’s mum Rose Roost, who had been on the staff for an amazing 26 years,  her daughter and son-in-law Donna and Paul Hibble-Roost remained and were joined by Rose’s grandson Tommy Roost-Baker making it a real family affair.

Roostys was a hit with added ventures including mobile catering vans taking the bakery to workplaces and business and industrial estates.

And now the family opened their second venue at the Broadstairs campus, off Northwood Road, which has been taken over by Nelson College London.

The expansion means Andy and Hanna are operating the café area in the campus Allen building and adding yet another new string to their bow with a fantastic function area.

The function room is 2,100 square ft with a capacity for up to 200 people  and Andy, Hanna and team will be offering buffet and other packages. The site also offers space for the four Roostys vans with a fifth to be added to the fleet shortly.

Hanna, who took her first hospitality job as a waitress when she was 14, said estate agent Terry Painter – who has been marketing the campus buildings – approached the couple about the site.

Hanna and Andy at the opening event

The former mental health worker said: “Terry contacted Andrew about the site and we came over to have a look and to see if we could do something with the space and it grew from there rapidly.

“Initially we thought we would do a shop, a replica of our one in Ramsgate, although we do most of the baking at Ramsgate. But then the people at Kent Innovation Centre and the Rhino factory site said they would use the cafe so it has grown.”

Roostys has taken on two additional staff and Hanna says there are likely to be more joining the team.

Demand also looks set to grow with Nelson College London planning to start courses initially for between 50-100 students from September and plans for the building to house a gym, doctors surgeries, possibly a pharmacy, a NHS yoga centre and opportunities for local businesses to also take space in the Carey campus building.

Hanna said: “With the cost of living it is hard times but we think if you don’t grow then you stagnate.

“The function room side is completely new for us but I have been working in hospitality since I was 14 with my first job as a waitress doing silver service so in a way I’ve gone back to that.

“This is our fifth year of trading and Andy and I are quite ambitious with a strong work ethic.”

The soft launch today (May 29) was attended by guests including Terry Painter and the team from Nelson College London who are looking to recruit students to the new courses in business and hospitality.

Nelson College director Nazim Uddin carried out the official ribbon cutting honours.

Roostys opens for trade tomorrow at 8am.

To find out more about Roostys and the function room availability find them on facebook here

Go to the website here

Or call 01843 581451.

Watch this space for more news on Nelson College London

Bubbly and cakes mark the first day of trading for Roosty’s bakery in Ramsgate