Exeter's hidden gem café has new owners

An Exeter singer-songwriter and mum who turned a derelict gatehouse building in a St Thomas park into a popular café and community hub two years ago has announced it is now being taken over by new owners. Abbe Martin has gained wide recognition for converting what was known by locals as The Gatehouse in Pinces Gardens into The Birdhouse.

She was inspired by living just a stones throw away from the historic building and being saddened that its future had been uncertain for many years leaving it prone to vandalism and falling into disrepair.

In January 2022, she was handed over the keys from Exeter City Council (ECC) following a two-year quest to transform it into a community café. It has since become a focal point for the community to gather from having a warm drink to enjoying events such as workshops and parties.

In April it will be taken over by Exeter-based social enterprise company Garland which provide employment and volunteering opportunities for adults with disabilities.

Abbe says she is now looking forward to spending more time with her family and continuing to pursue her love of music. She is one half of acoustic folk duo Sound of the Sirens who will be performing at Exeter Phoenix on April 13 which is almost sold-out.

She said: “I’m really excited the café will be doing such lovely things for our community. I’m a drama teacher for Sense UK and work with adults with disabilities so I fully support what Garland intend to do.

“It’s the right time to focus on my little family and put some more time back into my music with Sound of the Sirens.”

The news of the café’s new owners was shared on social media yesterday, February 28. On the Facebook of The Birdhouse, Abbe posted: “We opened The Birdhouse in July 2022 just two weeks after we said our final goodbye to my lovely Dad, who would have loved propping up the counter and chatting to you all. Life threw everything at us at once… and it all worked out. Life has a funny way of doing this.

“Two years on and we are open every weekend, Friday to Sunday, and we have fully established ourselves as part of the community here. We hold regular markets, our Christmas Carol Concert, classes, parties and art workshops. We have got to know so many of you during this time and we are so thankful to you all.

“You guys have brought life back to Pinces Gardens; we just provided coffee for you. The team at the café (The Birdhouse Chicks) are the absolute best and the café would not have survived this long without their support and hard work. Meg, Laura, Eva, Ellie and Molly – thank you for everything.

“I am delighted to announce that a local social enterprise company, Garland @ The Birdhouse will be taking over the café from April. They have been specifically set up to take over the café.

“They are a not-for-profit, community-based organisation who specialise in providing employment and volunteering opportunities for adults with disabilities. Their sister company, Garland Support, have been supporting adults with disabilities for over 10 years in Exeter.

“They are also passionate about providing great coffee and food. We will be updating everyone with more details on their exciting plans over the next few weeks; watch this space.

“I will be around, but I’ll be sat drinking coffee with you guys and helping to book out the space to all you wonderful folk who want to run classes etc. Thank you St Thomas for supporting my mad idea and running with it. It worked but it’s time for me to fly the nest.”