Home   Ashford   News   Article

The Hub cycle cafe in Churchfield Way, Wye opens

A “wasteland” has been turned into a home for a cycling cafe, made from reclaimed shipping containers.

The Hub, which has been built on the former Poynters Coaches base in Wye, has been two years in the making, and opened on Saturday.

The Hub is currently open three days a week. Picture: Alice Hall
The Hub is currently open three days a week. Picture: Alice Hall

The idea for the cafe came about as cycling enthusiasts Jez Smith, Matt Hayday and Keith Owen wanted somewhere in the village to share their love of biking and good coffee.

The Hub is currently open Friday to Sunday while finishing touches are being made but eventually it hopes to open mid-week.

Communications and marketing manager Alice Hall said: “Jez being the land owner had the idea of using the old bus depot as the base for the shipping containers.

“Before it was wasteland but we sit here now two years later and finally, we have our cafe.

“Planning took a lot longer than we expected but the three guys have done everything themselves.

Jez Smith, Matt Hayday and Keith Owen are behind The Hub
Jez Smith, Matt Hayday and Keith Owen are behind The Hub

“They have cut through steel, painted, glued and sanded all while working their other jobs.”

The cafe had a soft launch on Friday, and The Hub was soon “inundated” with cyclists and villagers, with Alice describing the first weekend as a “roaring success”.

The Hub has been furnished with as many recycled materials as possible, including tables and chairs at risk of being thrown away.

Locally brewed ColdBlow Coffee, from nearby Woodchurch, is served as well cakes and light snacks. There is hope to extend the menu to include paninis in the future.

Ms Hall added: “Eventually we hope to put maps with cycling routes up on the walls and host community events.

The Hub is based at the former Poynters Coaches site, which Alice Hall described as a "wasteland" before being transformed. Pic: Alice Hall
The Hub is based at the former Poynters Coaches site, which Alice Hall described as a "wasteland" before being transformed. Pic: Alice Hall

“While it's a cycle cafe, it's not just for cyclists or for people in Wye, everyone is welcome.”

In the future, bosses also hope to apply for an alcohol licence to serve locally brewed bottles of beer.

After being given the green light in August 2021, bosses initially hoped to have the cafe ready in time for summer last year.

But delays meant construction was not able to start until November.

The location was picked as part of plans to rejuvenate the bus depot, which closed in 2017.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More