The Yum Interview : Number Five
If you are a parent with small children living in or around Balham, you will be all too aware of the very magical and fabulous family eating and entertainment brand; Bertie and Boo. Owned by Boo and her husband Sam, (who we all know as ‘Bertie’ — the real Bertie is actually Boo’s brother!) both are trained actors with previous backgrounds in children’s party planning and hospitality. Bertie and Boo come from a family of magicians, in fact Bertie consults on the magic that they create for their shows and parties. So they are real experts in all that they do. And they do so brilliantly.
I was lucky enough to chat to Boo and hear all about their food and magic business and their exciting plans for the future…
It is so lovely to chat to you Boo. My kids have grown up visiting your branches and listening to your great Magical Story Time sessions, so to us, you are bit of a local celebrity! Can you kick things off by telling us a little about each of your spaces and what’s on offer in each branch.
It all started off with the Coffee Shop, which opened in 2008 in the heart of Balham. Myself and my husband wanted to create a community style café for everyone with all the necessary provisions for little children. There is a play car outside on the terrace, a tasty kids menu and baby-changing facilities. We provide tasty, simple fare like sourdough toasties, healthy juices, delicious cakes, an array of hot drinks and also milkshakes.
Next came Adventure Island, our larger soft play space, which opened just down from the Coffee Shop in 2012. The space is a safe place for parents, carers and kids to run around and enjoy. The main emphasis here is on story-telling. I am really passionate on the huge importance of introducing children to books and songs. I come from a family of magicians and myself and my husband are both actors. We run daily Magical Story Time shows and the kids can enjoy time in giant pirate ship before and after the show.
And more recently, the Family Restaurant and Play, opened in 2016 on Northcote Road in Battersea. Food is a stronger emphasis and here it is more about giving parents some ‘time out’. We have a supervised playroom (for over 2’s). They can enjoy a safe space whilst being monitored, and still being close to their parent in the restaurant. We wanted it to be a bit like a playroom at home or going around to friends for lunch. The design of the room is very calm and the activities are too. It gives the kids a sense of what it may be around the corner at nursery.
Children’s Parties are a large part of your business. Tell us a little about what the kids can expect at one of your birthday parties.
Before we opened the original coffee shop, we had a children’s party business. Adventure Island is also the location for our kids parties, but we do also host parties at the Restaurant and Play. There are several packages on offer. The hosts have exclusive hire and a typical party can involve a Magic Show, disco, picnic, animal balloons and enjoying the soft play with their friends. We have a great wine list available for the adults too!
Let talk food! My family all agree that your bacon sandwiches are to die for. And I love your kale and halloumi salad when I want to be a bit healthier! Where do you source your ingredients?
We have a chef and there is a centralised kitchen at the Northcote Road branch. Sandwiches and salads are prepared there for all three venues. We use a local fruit and vegetable supplier and our cakes and our famous gingerbread men are made by local cake makers, who are local Mums that have their own baking businesses.
Tell us a little about your new focus on drinks for the grown-ups.
We have been focusing a great deal on fresh juices for both adults and kids. And we are also excited to announce a brand new wine supplier, especially for parents who may be hosting a Bertie & Boo party or just fancy a glass during the day. The collaboration is the first for wine brand Greg and Juju. We offer a white, red and rosé plus we also sell a Skinny Fizz.
What can you tell us about the Bertie and Boo Membership Scheme?
For an annual fee, the membership offers many perks. You can go to any Magical Story Time session. There is a discount on any of our parties and some offers on food. We also host several Christmas Magic Show’s in December, which is included in the fee. It’s great for us to keep connected and keep up the community spirit, which is so important to us.
Why did you choose Balham as your business location?
We live very close to Balham and know the area very well. We have two little girls who are at school not too far away so we know the market and what it is like to live in London and the demands on parents in the area. There is a real sense of neighbourhood here and a great family aspect to life in this particular part of south west London. Balham and Northcote Road are perfect fits.
How do you like to get involved with goings-on in the community?
It is the Northcote Road Street Party coming up next month, so we will have a stilt walker at the event. The Balham Food Festival is later in September too. We use our branches as a base and create a buzz and get involved in that way.
We are very connected to the Balham Baptist Church and nearby local Oaktree Nursery School. We donate to anyone who may like vouchers for any local events and school fund-raisers too.
What are you plans for the future? Can you tell us a little about your renovations and new play area at the Coffee Shop?
We are converting the basement of the Coffee Shop into a kids play area. But we are still very much in the design stage, which is changing on a daily basis at the moment so can’t give too much away. But watch this space!
When you get some time off with your kids, what are your top eating and drinking destinations in the neighbourhood?
We like the Abbeville pub and like to take the kids to Canazaro House and Park in Wimbledon where they can run around after a lovely lunch. In Clapham we like Eco and Black Lab for coffee.
There are so many yummy eating and entertainment options for you and your kids at Bertie and Boo. For more information on their new developments, and to learn more about their fantastic membership and kids parties, visit their website at bertieandboo.com.
Or follow them on:
Twitter: @bertieandboo
Instagram: @bertieandboopics
