COMMUNITY produced honey, milk, cheese and chutneys will be just some of the food on offer in a new tearoom.

Croft Tearoom is now open in St Mary Cray High Street, and is using locally sourced ingredients to make all of its food.

Not only will the tearoom help to keep local farmers, dairies, bakers, greengrocers and allotments afloat, but it has also given jobs to 10 volunteers and two permanent staff, all of whom are residents.

Carole Wells is the owner and manager of the tearoom.

Mrs Wells said: “The tearoom will provide a really lovely atmosphere with really good quality food which is homemade.

“We are committed to the environment and are trying to avoid food miles and are supporting small producers and farmers.”

It is going to be run as a Community Interest Company, which means it is run like a commercial business but has social aims and objectives and the profits will be ploughed into other local projects or back into the business.

The new tearoom is part of the local food initiative, encouraging people to eat healthier, more nutritious food which is sourced locally and homemade.

There are 20 food suppliers which are supplying the tearoom with various food including vegetables, oils, traditional bread and chocolate.

The tearoom is surrounded by 17th century buildings and is in a conservation area, with the building itself being environmentally friendly.

It has been built using sustainable timber, reclaimed roof tiles and recycled bricks and a heat recovery system.

This system works by trapping hot air inside the building but extracts the cold, stale air.

It then brings in fresh, cool air which mixes with the hot air inside.

The tearoom has been decorated using the ‘Cray’ pattern, designed by the 19th century artist, William Morris.

The pattern was based on the River Cray, which runs through St Mary Cray and not only is the tearoom selling food, but it is also selling art pieces from local artists and art groups.

Mrs Wells said: “It is about engaging the community and giving people a nice place to come and visit.”

The tearoom is open 9am until 4pm, Wednesday to Saturdays, and 11am until 4pm on Sundays.

For more community news, visit newsshopper.co.uk/community