A THRIVING Colchester nail technician has said she is "excited to be doing something new" after deciding to open a coffee shop in the city centre.

Ella Slaughter, who runs Ella’s Nail House, in Trinity Street, Colchester, has opened a café at a former patisserie site around the corner from her salon.

Ella's Cà Phê House is already open for business but will officially be launched in Sir Isaacs Walk on Saturday, February 3.

The café serves authentic Vietnamese coffee and street food, including Vietnamese-style baguettes, as well as freshly made cakes from a Colchester baker.

Ella hopes to use the café to show the people of Colchester why Vietnamese food and drinks are so special. 

Gazette: Open- outside the new café in Sir Isaac's WalkOpen- outside the new café in Sir Isaac's Walk (Image: NQ)

Ella said: “I am absolutely excited to be doing something new. It’s a challenge.

“To make it happen is really good, I like a challenge. We will be doing Vietnamese coffee and baguettes.

Gazette: Success- Ella outside Ella's Nail SalonSuccess- Ella outside Ella's Nail Salon (Image: NQ)

“When people talk about Vietnam they often remember the war and don't talk about the food and coffee enough.

“The way we drink coffee is different in Vietnam. It is a hot country so we don’t really drink hot coffee.

“There’s only one Vietnamese restaurant in Colchester and we hope to bring something new to the centre of Colchester.

“If you go to London you may know about Vietnamese coffee as it’s very popular there. 

“We are doing a proper event for the opening, giving free coffee to the first 50 customers."

As well as good food and drink, the eye-catching café also boasts a vibrant Vietnamese-themed mural, adding to the ambience of the new business.

Its windows display has also been painted by artist New View by Sophie Mann, who has created incredible window designs in Colchester and surrounding areas, including a Christmas window display at Saxons Estate Agents and Darcy’s Sweet Shoppe.

“I want to make everything perfect and make sure everyone likes it. Of course you can’t please everyone but I hope to," added Ella.

“I want to bring more Vietnamese culture to Colchester to make us more famous for food and coffee too."

Ella's new business comes after Ella's Nail House celebrated its two year anniversary in October 2023.