Earlsdon deli and cafe Kendall's is put up for sale...

One of Coventry’s best-known delicatessens and cafes - Kendall’s of Earlsdon - has been put up for sale.



Husband and wife team Marcus and Theresa Kendall have decided to hang up their aprons after serving the local community for eight years.

The award-winning family-run business was founded by sister Jackie Kendall in 1999 and over the years it has grown to become one of the city’s most popular deli cafes.

The venue in Earlsdon Street has scooped numerous awards for its exceptional service, received rave reviews from national critics, and has expanded its offering to make it the perfect place to sample local produce which isn’t available in supermarkets.

But after eight years in charge, Marcus and Theresa have decided it is time to retire.

Theresa said: “Both of us will be getting our pension next year and we have decided it’s time for a change.

“It has been a very difficult decision for us. We have always loved running the business and we have never been so busy.

“But we were on holiday earlier this year and we had to ask ourselves, do we really want our lives to be so busy? I also have a second business and running both leaves us very little time for anything else.”

Both Marcus and Theresa were both trained with the UK Cheese and Charcuterie Guilds, all staff are trained coffee baristas and Kendall’s of Earlsdon has achieved Fair Trade status for many years.

“The ideal situation for us would be to sell the business as a going concern and for the staff to remain in place,” added Theresa.

“There has been so much work put into building the reputation of the business and it would be a fantastic investment for someone. It very much runs itself.

“When we took over the business it was 100 per cent a delicatessen, but we looked at the changing face of the high street and moved towards the cafe and takeaway side of the business. We have always listened to what our customers wanted, which is why it is such a successful business today.”

As well as local produce, the deli cafe also stocks an extensive range of continental specialities. Its selection of handmade local cheeses, includes the world famous Berkswell Ewe.

Ex-staff owed money in Kendall’s of Earlsdon cafe's collapse now told to claim from taxpayer amid liquidation



FORMER staff of a popular Coventry cafe and delicatessen owed thousands of pounds after its collapse have now been informed the company has gone into voluntary liquidation – and they should claim their money back from the taxpayer.

We revealed the crisis with angry creditors last week and that an application had been lodged for the ‘Kendall’s of Earlsdon’ company to be struck off after its suddenly closure weeks ago.

Around 14 ex-staff have now been told in a letter that the company is in the hands of a liquidator, Nottingham-based Kingsland Business Recovery.

Notification of the insolvency proceedings, although still not confirmed at Companies House, come despite the premises (and associated flats and land) being sold for £400,000 to associates of Coventry councillor Rois Ali at an auction at the Villlage Hotel in May.

The building was sold by former Royal Oak pub owner Ramon Evitts, according to Loveitts estate agents. But the transfer of ownership has still not been registered at the Land Registry, a legal requirement.

His wife Debbie Evitts is listed as the sole director of Kendall’s of Earlsdon – meaning the deli cafe in Earlsdon Street was in separate ownership to the building owned by her husband.

Coun Ali told us it could re-open as a cafe, but no final decisions had been taken.

Kendall’s cafe – as it has long been popularly known – is an Earlsdon landmark and was put up for sale by Marcus and Theresa Kendall four years ago before Mrs Evitts’ takeover.

Former employees the Kemp family told us they were owed pay and pension payments.

They believe the total bill owned to 14 members of staff is around £28,000.

In a letter from the liquidators seen by the Observer, ex-employee victims have been informed they must rely on the taxpayer – via the government’s redundancy fund – to get monies owed to them.

Ex-staff at collapsed popular cafe open new tearoom after being re-paid money owed to them



EX-STAFF at a collapsed popular cafe and delicatessen in Earlsdon have opened a new tearoom a few doors away after being re-paid thousands of pounds owed to them.

We revealed the crisis in July as Kendall’s of Earlsdon went into voluntary liquidation after its sudden closure.

Around 14 ex-staff – owed a collective £28,000 – were left reliant on the government’s insolvency service to be reimbursed.

Liquidator Tauseef Rachid from Nottingham-based Kingsland Business Recovery was appointed to oversee the wind-up which began officially on July 20, according to Companies House.

It is now believed most staff members have received the money owed – with only two still expecting compensation.

We spoke with former employees Emily and Andrea Kemp in July who told us they were owed pay and pension payments to the tune of £2,400 and £7,000 respectively.

The pair initially attempted to buy Kendall’s, on Earlsdon Street, from its then director Debbie Evitts but were unsuccessful.

Now they have fulfilled a lifelong dream by striking a deal with the owners of Lucia’s Vintage Tearoom and Deli to take over the business.

The family renamed the business ‘Emily’s’ and has employed seven of the 14 members of former Kendall’s staff.

Emily said: “It’s quite bittersweet really. The situation at Kendall’s pushed us to do what we have wanted to do for a long time because we were too comfortable.

“All the staff are really happy here. Our customers have all followed us. It’s been really, really nice and we have had a lot of support.

“We have been able to make it into what we have always wanted.

“We have a big garden which we want to eventually develop, we want to start doing evenings and Sunday dinners as well as outside catering and deliveries.”