A BOOKSHOP café has started a new chapter at Priory Meadow Shopping Centre in Hastings as it is fast becoming a hub for local produce.

The café at Waterstones is helping underpin the local economy by sourcing food from regional suppliers, including two bakeries and a vegan foods specialist.

Products now being stocked include cakes from the Roebuck charity in Hastings, as well as confectionary and pastries from the family-run Oak Bakery, in London Road, St Leonards.

The Oak Bakery makes all its own traditional style bread and specialities such as sourdough, soda bread, ciabatta and honey and walnut loaves, as well as family favourites like sausage rolls, pies, flans, sweet-bakes, biscuits and tarts.

The café at Waterstones also sources from vegan specialists Patty and Franks, based at Bexhill. The small plant-based caterers on Bexhill seafront Colonnade are known for their made-in-house patties and delicious range of vegan products.

The café not only raises funds for charities but also welcomes neighbourhood groups to gather there over coffee, and has even established a small gallery of local artwork.

The team behind the transformation is delighted with the ongoing success story and is on a mission to continue to further promote quality local products and community events, along with good, friendly conversation.

Waterstones café manager Roland Squire said: “We opened last September and it’s been an incredible journey since then. Business has steadily picked up and we now have a lovely amiable atmosphere. Many regulars pop in several times a week.

“From the outset we wanted the café to reflect the true character of Hastings and remain an important gathering place for the loyal customers who returned to us when we underwent a change of format.

“We’ve built up a welcoming vibe and, food-wise, we place a big emphasis on working with local suppliers. We currently have a great selection of locally made cakes and pastries, which are red-hot favourites among customers.”