A POPULAR floating tea room is changing hands.
After 10 years of running Whittington’s Tea Barge on the banks of the River Thames by Christchurch Meadows, Andrew Craig and Lesley Banks have hung up their aprons, and put away the cups and saucers for the last time.
In their place, they have welcomed Chi, Chi Man, Chung and Hau. They are twin sisters and their husbands.
Chi has worked as a pastry chef at The Hinds Head in Maidenhead (Michelin star restaurant) part of Heston Blumenthal’s group, whilst her husband, Hau, is a barista and coffee art specialist.
Mr Craig said in a statement to customers: “Expect the standards that Whittington’s as become renowned for being maintained.”
He also said: “Lesley and I would like to thank all our wonderful customers for making Whittington’s what it has become; a fun, sociable and friendly place to meet family and friends and have a pot of tea and a scone or slice of cake, or maybe a breakfast/brunch or a light lunch, while enjoying the tranquillity of the Thames, or watching the swans try and poke their heads through the open windows.
“However, we felt it is a right time for us to move on to our new chapter.”
The couple will run occasional quiz nights and will also return for the Christmas Carols event held every Sunday in December.
“We would like to invite you all to come and meet Chi and her lovely family and continue to support them as they take over the reins,” they added.
