Mo's Cafe in Tiptree handed over to new owner

Mo’s Cafe in Tiptree is like a second home to its former owner Hayley Kirkman.

The eatery has been in her family since 1982, when she was just 12-years-old.

It was first opened by the 52-year-old’s mum, Mo, who died in 2012 at 66.

Hayley describes the cafe as a “hub” of the community with generations of loyal customers.

She grew up with most of them as she was born and raised in the village.

She said: “To me it wasn’t just a business, it was my entire life since I was 12.”

The boss would normally open up the premises in The Centre at 4am and leave at 3pm, six days a week.

Mo's Cafe in The Centre in Tiptree

“Some of my customers are now fifth generation.

“My customers who come in the morning, 90 per cent of them I went to school with so I have a school reunion daily.

“I know exactly what they have, how many sugars they want, they don’t even tell me I just get it ready and off they go.”

However, it came time to call it a day.

Hayley said: “The new owners have been asking me for a year.

“I kept saying no and then eventually I thought, ‘We’ve been here for 40 years, I think I’ve done my bit for the community’.

“It’s probably one of the hardest decisions of my life and I think it’s the right one.”

Hayley has had an outpouring of support from her regulars who have sent bunches of flowers and tearful phone calls her way.

She hopes these loyal customers will welcome new owner Ozzy with open arms.

“It’s his first business so I hope the village support him the same way I’ve been supported, and I genuinely wish him all the best,” she added.

Ozzy, who is 26, is set to put his own twist on the menu and change the opening times.