Scotch pies, Cornish pasties, Belfast ham, Bakewell tarts, Eccles cakes...If the mere mention of these delicacies makes your taste buds tingle, it’s time to say cheerio to your regular grocery store and have a gander at the British Treat Shoppe. Tucked away in the Bronte Village Mall, this unassuming spot is part tea house, part grocery, part gift shop.
Owner Dena Bull, who knows most of her customers by name, loves to meet new clients, who typically are lured in by the hard-to-find imports but keep coming back for the friendly atmosphere. “My customers are as likely to come in for some gossip about Coronation Street or to pick up a free copy of The British Canadian News as they come in for a bite,” admits Dena with not a hint of disappointment. “That’s what we’re all about. We’re more than just a shop. We’re a place for people to meet up and chat in a quiet welcoming atmosphere.” Despite a number of other cafés in the neighbourhood, Dena has a devoted following. “Where else can you get a proper cuppa PG Tips?” smiles Dena with pride, referring to England’s best-selling tea, the only kind she serves.
