A QUIRKY cafe running out of a converted horsebox has been chosen to go head-to-head with 47 other businesses based at train stations across the country.
Kara’s Kitchen, which has just celebrated its second anniversary, has been picked to represent Shoebury Station in the the Rail Delivery Group’s annual “World Cup of Stations”.
The owner of the business, Kara McTaggart, 34, from Rochford, was delighted that her humble venture, which she began two years ago, had made the grade and is relishing the opportunity to take part.
Kara, who had been a personal trainer for 11 years prior to beginning her café journey, had been caught off-guard by the news and joked she would “put in a million votes” for herself after finding out.
She said: “I started two years ago, I’ve just celebrated my second anniversary and I absolutely love it.
“I always wanted my own café and the horsebox came up for sale, and I thought, let’s just go for it.
“I can’t even believe I have been selected, it just goes to show my hard work is paying off, 16-hour days sometimes. Everything you see on there, I bake.
“Hopefully, I win. I can’t believe I’ve been recognised, I’m only a cute little horsebox. People are talking about me, it’s really nice to hear.”
She added the horsebox could soon have a permanent home at the station with plans for her to occupy a plot seven days a week inching closer.
Kara said she often ends up working 16-hour days, operating the horsebox at the station from 6am to 12pm Monday to Friday, and baking for hours when at home.
The café provides its customers fresh coffee, cookies, blondies, brownies, pastries, sausage rolls, sandwiches, toasties and also takes personal requests, with all baked goods handmade by Kara.
Rob Mullen, Managing Director of c2c, added: “We at c2c are delighted that Shoebury station has been recognised by the RDG and has been selected to take part in the World Cup of Stations competition. Shoebury is an amazing area and Kara’s Kitchen serves many of our passengers as they use our route on weekday mornings.
“The positive impact that railway stations have on local economies is invaluable to independent businesses, which is why we want to encourage all our passengers to support their local businesses, such as Kara’s Kitchen,”
To vote, visit, raildeliverygroup.com/our-services/campaigns/world-cup-of-stations.html#east-of-england
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 hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel