A MOTHER and her in-laws are opening a café in Addiscombe with a tram theme - because her kids love them.
Sarah McFadyen, 30, and parents-in-law Jim and Claire, both 60, are opening The Tram Stop just opposite Addiscombe tram station.
Mrs McFadyen said her two little boys, Ewan, 3, and Caelan, 1, both loved taking the trams and had provided the inspiration behind the business.
"I have lived in Addiscombe for a long time and they [trams] are such a big part of living in Croydon and have become an iconic feature," she said.
"We wanted to celebrate the tram and where better than when they are just opposite?
"My two boys think they're great as well. They are brilliant for the area and we should be thankful we have them."
The family business venture, which is due to open within the next few weeks, is replacing one of Mrs McFadyen's favourite coffee shops, PMT Cupcakes, which shut last year.
It will offer similar food to PMT, but will also serve a lunch menu and full English breakfasts from 7am – an offer Mrs McFadyen hopes will attract tram customers before they go to work.
"It would be great if we could be a bit of a pit-stop that people hop off the tram to use," said Mrs McFadyen. "We also want it to be a community venue for Addiscombe.
"The area has cafes, but I want it to have the same feel as PMT did, where there were knitting groups and you could bring your kids.
"The knitting groups have already said they're coming back and groups like the WI have already expressed an interest."
The walls, and even the shop sign, will feature vintage pictures of trams to remind customers of the history the borough has with them.
To check on the cafe's progress visit www.facebook.com/thetramstop or www.thetramstop.co.uk
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