The owner of a new independent café in Norwich wants everyone to feel welcome with a range of affordable treats on offer, including vegan and gluten-free options. 

Snowdrop Coffee Shop has opened at 7-13 Rose Lane, in the former home of The Little Vegan Butchers, and customers can eat in or takeaway. 

The owner of the new business is Clare Watker, 46, who has a background in education but it has always been her dream to open a café.

Eastern Daily Press: Snowdrop Coffee Shop is located at 7-13 Rose Lane in Norwich Picture: Denise BradleySnowdrop Coffee Shop is located at 7-13 Rose Lane in Norwich Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Newsquest)

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She learnt to bake from her mum Pam and the name is a nod to her nan Mary who loved going to see snowdrops.  

On offer are baguettes, paninis, toasties, sausage rolls and croissants, with Mrs Watker and her mum making all the cakes. 

Eastern Daily Press: Sausage rolls from the new Snowdrop Coffee Shop in Norwich Picture: Denise BradleySausage rolls from the new Snowdrop Coffee Shop in Norwich Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Newsquest)

Mrs Watker said: "I have always wanted to have a coffee shop and my husband and I were moving my best friend's son into the back of this building as a recording studio and the space at the front was empty and caught my eye." 

She can't eat gluten herself so has made sure to cater to dietary requirements, with plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

Eastern Daily Press: Gluten0free carrot cake from Snowdrop Coffee Shop Picture: Denise BradleyGluten0free carrot cake from Snowdrop Coffee Shop Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Newsquest)

There is also a range of hot drinks, using local supplier Green Farm Coffee in Rackheath, and a big focus at the café is on affordability. 

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Eastern Daily Press: Gluten-free lemon drizzle cake from Snowdrop Coffee Shop in Norwich Picture: Denise BradleyGluten-free lemon drizzle cake from Snowdrop Coffee Shop in Norwich Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Newsquest)

Mrs Watker added: "We are trying to cater to everyone and in the new year we are planning to do low-sugar food for people who are diabetic. 

"This is a place where you can have a big coffee and a big cake at great value for money and feel full.

Eastern Daily Press: Clare Watker behind the counter at the new Snowdrop Coffee Shop Picture: Denise BradleyClare Watker behind the counter at the new Snowdrop Coffee Shop Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Newsquest)

"Our most expensive drink is £2.85, the baguettes are £3 and homemade cakes £2 to £2.95 and we have loyalty cards too.

"We are already getting regulars and people in nearby offices are coming back to try different things."

The opening hours are 8am-3.30pm Monday to Friday and 8am-5pm on Saturdays (closed Sundays and also on December 26 and 27 and January 1).