17-year-old to continue family legacy, taking over Pippa’s Pantry in Sutton Bridge

A 17-year-old will be taking the reins of a popular village café to continue a family legacy.

Pippa’s Pantry in Sutton Bridge was started by Pippa Burrows five years ago and she made the emotional decision this year to sell the ‘goldmine’ and retire.

However, her daughter Molly Gale is not quite ready to let go so Pippa will train her to take over the business.

Pippa said: “I am very proud of her.

“She will smash it and the support is incredible from everyone to help her succeed.

“Our customers got very emotional when we told them.”

The pantry is full of family history - the interior was built by Molly’s dad John Gale and the sunflower theme was inspired by her grandad David Burrows.

Pippa added: “We were going to sell and Molly came to me and said ‘I can't let you sell it, mum’.

“She said ‘it reminds me too much of my grandad’.

“Her dad built the inside of the pantry right at the very start.”

Molly is currently studying a Level 3 Business Diploma at the College of West Anglia in King’s Lynn and the budding business student will turn 18 in August.

She said: “I think I see it as my future career.

“I love seeing all the people in here and talking and communicating with customers.

“I didn't like to think of the business going to someone else.”

Molly was close to her grandad who died in 2013 at the age of 74.

She said: “It was built for him, from the love of him.

“The sunflowers are all about him, he used to love them and he has surrounded us every day.

“I want to do it for grandad - I think he would be amazed and very pleased with the both of us.”

Molly plans to continue as an apprentice as she learns all aspects of running the café, which will remain as Pippa’s Pantry.