A couple are hoping for the stamp of approval when they open a coffee shop in a village's former post office.

Staplehurst's post office relocated in April, but the High Street building hasn't stayed vacant for long, with ex-Londoners Hayleigh and Reggie Gelderbloem siezing the opportunity.

The couple, who moved to the village during the pandemic, will launch their coffee shop, called Stamp, next week, with the grand opening this Saturday, November 6.

Mrs Gelderbloem, 27, said: "We are the only coffee shop in the high street. We wanted to open a coffee shop and a place for the community.

"We have nothing in Staplehurst really like that, apart from the churches. We have a pub and takeaways.

"We wanted a place where people can have coffee in the afternoon, but also where people can have events."

The couple, who have both worked in "start-up cafes" for about about 15 years between them, lived in London's Victoria Park, where they had the choice of about six coffee shops.

Upon moving to Staplehurst, they felt a coffee shop was the only thing missing, Mrs Gelderbloom, now a partner executive at a Maidstone technology company, says.

She added: "On Saturday and Sunday the village is quiet, nobody is around. I think if there's a place for people to go... One Sunday a month there's a market, everyone comes out and goes to it."

"We thought 'we need a café, we will open one.'"

Both have full-time jobs- Reggie is an estate agent- and so will hire staff to work at the cafe, but plan to be there at the weekends.

Sandwiches and home-made cakes will be served. Some 50% of the cakes will be gluten-free and there will be a section of vegan food too.

The couple have focussed on working with local producers and businesses. The cakes will be made by a baker from Staplehurst, while the coffee is brewed in the village too, and the dairy is from Cranbrook. The business will also be dog-friendly.

They have worked hard to transform the former post office, removing counters and other furniture.

The post office is now at SPAR, in the Parade.

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