Exeter City Centre Manager 'slashes' ribbon to officially open new cafe!

Exeter City Centre Manager John Harvey officially opens an exciting new Moroccan-style café based at Evolution, a spiritualist centre and shop. The unconventional ribbon cutting ceremony was carried out by John using a traditional Viking sword and Buddhist prayer flags and proprietor Dudley Hambleton dressed as ‘Merlin’.

John Harvey joins the Evolution team for the Crystal Cafe opening 

The new ‘Crystal Café’ which opened for business on 7^th July, seats up to 45 customers in the intimate dining room and outside private courtyard. Exeter-man Luc Francis, an experienced chef has created a bespoke menu where customers can choose from a selection of high-quality organic, vegetarian and vegan fare to make their own perfect repast. All produce is sourced locally, freshly prepared daily on site and served on historically accurate crockery from the 16^th/17^th Century accompanied by bronze cutlery.

Left to right: Dudley Hambleton (Proprietor) Angela Foster, Luc Francis (Chef ) John  Harvey (City Centre Manager) and Linda  Credland-Proctor (Cafe Manager)

Based in Fore Street, Evolution has had only one change of ownership over the last 20 years before being acquired by local businessman Dudley Hambleton in November 2011. Switching from ‘corporate to crystals’, former co-director of Concorde Copiers, Dudley purchased the business in November last year and has invested substantial funds in refurbishment, updating and extending the number of services and products on offer. This includes selling ethnic clothing, fair-trade African jewellery and a comprehensive range of exciting ‘wizardry and magical’ books for both children and adults. Since taking ownership, Dudley has also introduced a diverse range of workshops and therapies by a full qualified team of counsellors and therapists hosted in numerous therapy and seminar rooms located in the three storey building.

Dudley Hambleton Proprietor Evolution says: “In my previous role I was co-director and founder member of Concorde Copiers which we built up into a very successful business with branches across the South West. At that time I was very much deep-rooted in the commercial world, however, one day out of the blue I had an amazing and unexpected first-hand spiritualist experience which changed my life. As a result I know my calling is in the spiritual world and find myself much more fulfilled and at peace. It is my desire to make Evolution ‘The Spiritual Centre of the South West’ with something for everyone including different and interesting sessions held in the evenings including astrology, crystal therapy, mediation and a drum circle.”

John Harvey Exeter City Centre Manager says: “It’s an absolute pleasure to reopen Evolution, one of the many fabulous independent businesses in Fore Street. The eclectic and exciting mix of retailers in Fore Street is strengthened by the presence of Evolution and I wish the team the best of luck in growing their business over the coming months and years. The team at Evolution are great and their future is a bright one.”

Evolution, 117 Fore Street, EXETER EX4 3JQ

T: 01392 410759 

Facebook: EvolutionExeter