Leading Ladies: Oliver’s army of repeat customers adds to Ripon’s success

💛☕ It was the year of the 2012 London Olympics and The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee ✨ when Lou Grant and her husband Tim opened Oliver’s Pantry at 86 North Street, Ripon.

Since then, a lot has happened in the UK and across the world, heavily impacting the hospitality sector — from the Covid Pandemic that struck in 2020 😷 to rocketing fuel bills and a cost‑of‑living crisis, whose effects are still being felt.

In this, the second in our series focusing on the city’s leading businesswomen, Lou tells Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon Blog how her determination and maintenance of high standards has seen year‑on‑year increases in the number of Oliver’s army of followers, who regularly visit Ripon to eat at the distinctive establishment 💛🍽️

Why did you select Ripon?

Lou said: “When we were looking for a site around North Yorkshire, we felt there was something special about Ripon ✨ and my husband had the vision for the site, which had been derelict for 30 years and in need of substantial renovation. I can’t believe that we have been open for business here for 14 years.”

The biggest issues since opening

“The Covid years were a challenge 😷 and currently the rising cost of nearly everything we need to run a successful café — food, energy, staffing costs, to mention but a few.”

Creating and maintaining a buzz

Tim and I both love Ripon ❤️ and have worked hard to create a place that feels comfortable for everyone, that serves consistently great food and has a vibe that feels laid‑back and buzzing all at the same time ✨

“We have, through attention to detail and getting to know what our customers like best, managed to maintain a spot in the hearts and minds of visitors and locals. I am always chuffed when a visitor tells me that they asked where to go for coffee, breakfast or lunch and a local pointed them to Oliver’s. I love all our local traders as I also know how hard they all work to keep the buzz of Ripon alive 💛 I personally love walking round Ripon and seeing so many people to say hi to 👋”

Customers from near and far

“Our customers come from near and far 🌍 and we have the most amazing pool of regulars that are very local to Ripon, but we also have customers from all over — especially at this time of year: holiday makers, groups going to weddings, families from south and north who use Ripon as a meeting place.”

Working with other independent businesses in the city

“We have worked with Gill Edwards at the Little Ripon Bookshop 📚 on a few book launch nights and I always try to promote other businesses and heritage attractions on social media — for example Karma, Exhale Yoga Studios and the city’s museums 🏛️

Among the things I like best about Ripon is the mixture of independent businesses and the feeling that mostly the people are kind and look out for each other 💙 There’s also the running, cycling, pilates, yoga and walking groups 🚴‍♀️🧘‍♂️🚶‍♀️ and the schools — and the fact we also have families that have been coming in since we opened, and we now see the babies that have grown into teenagers and choose Oliver’s when they are out in the city centre.”

Lou pointed out: “Our customers include students who always come to us when they are home from Uni 🎓 in their holidays, and young people who have worked with us and have grown into absolutely amazing adults and still love coming to see us.”

Asked about any plans for the future, Lou said: “We’re just going to continue working hard to maintain our standards, so that everyone feels joyful, satisfied and happy when they leave 😊”

Ripon BID manager Lilla Bathurst said: “Oliver’s Pantry is a BID member and through Lou and Tim’s hard work has, for many, become one of the best‑known and loved eateries in the city 💛 As well as bringing them the success that they deserve, the footfall they attract is beneficial to other traders who are part of the independent community of businesses at the heart of our unique Cathedral City of the Dales 🏙️✨”

For further information about Oliver’s Pantry go to www.oliverspantry.com or call 01765 600548 📞