Nook Houseplants: A Blooming Success in Plymouth
Nook Houseplants, a thriving business that began in a modest spare room during the COVID-19 lockdown, has blossomed into a popular café and restaurant, offering a vibrant mix of dining experiences and live music events. Founded by friends Becca Langsford and Nieve Perry, the enterprise quickly gained momentum, prompting a move to a more spacious location on Ebrington Street in 2022. By October 2024, they expanded further into a larger unit, which not only provided additional indoor space but also allowed for an outdoor seating area. This strategic diversification has fueled their growth, enabling them to host a variety of events, including educational workshops on plant cultivation and their much-anticipated monthly feast nights.
Recently, Nook Houseplants held a Moroccan-themed dining event that showcased a delightful three-course menu, inviting guests to share long communal tables while enjoying platters of exquisite food. The evening commenced with crispy cigar rolls filled with ras el hanout-spiced chicken and herbed potatoes, accompanied by a trio of flavorful dips and flatbread, including a smoky baba ghanoush. The main course was a rich tajine of slow-cooked lamb infused with apricot and honey, paired with jewelled saffron couscous and a roasted courgette and chickpea salad. To conclude the culinary journey, diners were treated to a fig and almond tart adorned with orange blossom cream, crafted by the talented chef Jess Ackerman, who previously honed her skills in Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall restaurant.
Building Community Through Food and Music
The Moroccan Spring Feast has proven to be a tremendous success, with tickets selling out swiftly and prompting early reservations for their upcoming Spanish-themed feast night scheduled for June 13. The event is part of Nook Houseplants' broader initiative to utilize their café space for evening activities, which now also includes live music performances. Scheduled artists feature Calvin Thomas and Jack Cookson on April 25, Kate Hall’s EP launch on May 8, followed by James Dixon on June 26 and Alex Heart on July 17. In a recent interview, Becca expressed the importance of diversification for their small business, especially during challenging times for many traders. She noted, "We wanted to maximize the café space during the evenings and host various events, including live music alongside our existing workshops. Our goal is to create a communal dining experience that brings people together, fostering connections over shared plates."
With the new location and expanded offerings, Becca and Nieve are keen to make the most of their café space while continuing to adapt to the needs of their community. They have also introduced kids' workshops during holidays, alongside terrarium and propagation workshops for plant enthusiasts. The commitment to education and community engagement is evident, as they strive to encourage more individuals to develop their green thumbs under expert guidance. As Nook Houseplants continues to grow and innovate, it remains a beacon of creativity and community spirit in Plymouth.
As reported by plymouthherald.co.uk.
