Colborne House Cafe Info
Amenities
Service options
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
Highlights
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Great tea selection
Offerings
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Coffee
Dining options
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Dessert
Amenities
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Good for kids
Atmosphere
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Casual
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Cosy
Crowd
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Groups
Payments
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NFC mobile payments
Best PlaceJuice Reviews
A veritable landmark in Clitheroe and for many known simply as "Swales".
This cafe holds many memories of my childhood - was the place to gather on a Saturday for ice-cream sodas - in the backroom with all your mates. (40 odd years later & it's still a popular cafe)
Lovely milky coffee with pie, peas and gravy is a favourite for many. Good selection of cakes, sandwiches and other menu items means there is something for everyone. Lot's of dining space.
Absolutely lovely. Great traditional food. Wonderful helpful friendly staff. Affordable prices. Fabulous
Although it can be nerve-wracking entering this 1970s time-warp café for the first time (especially if you don't look local and of a certain age), don't be shy: it's clean, friendly, not too expensive. The food is excellent of its kind and satisfying in an old-fashioned way. I love the old black plastic menu board on the wall with push-on white lettering, rarely seen since my childhood.
Come here for: pie and peas, perfect jacket potatoes, sandwiches, cakes, excellent fruit tart and a cup of tea.
Don't come here for: coffee (unless you like weak instant coffee).
Counter service, cash only. Expect a short queue at lunchtime, especially Saturdays.
Update Oct 2020. Now takes card payment.
What a treat on a cold wintry day. Pie peas and gravy delicious. Served by Lovely staff ! A proper cafe.
funky old style cafe. Great pie, peas and gravy. Good service and comfortable surroundings
Lovely big cafe, nicely spaced out, the food was served fast and was delicious. The staff were all lovely.
This was the first time for breakfast and it didnt disappoint, delicious bacon on brown with lovely coffee. We've been here on many previous occasions and their meat & potato pie peas and gravy is legendary. Looking forward to our next visit.
Great staff, great food and great atmosphere. Been going for decades and love it.
Quick Facts About Colborne House Cafe
Colborne House Cafe, also known as "Swales", is a veritable landmark in Clitheroe, and has been a popular cafe for over 40 years. The cafe holds many memories for its customers and has a strong sense of nostalgia associated with it. The strengths of the cafe can be seen in the following comments:
1. Childhood Memories: The cafe holds many memories for customers, particularly from their childhood. This suggests that Colborne House Cafe has been a long-standing establishment in the community and has a loyal customer base.
2. Menu Variety: The cafe offers a good selection of cakes, sandwiches, and other menu items, ensuring that there is something for everyone. This variety appeals to customers with different tastes and dietary preferences.
3. Dining Space: The cafe has lots of dining space, which is a strength as it can accommodate larger groups or gatherings. This is particularly valuable for customers who visit with friends or family.
4. Traditional Food: Colborne House Cafe is known for its traditional food, such as pie, peas, and gravy, which is a favorite for many customers. This indicates that the cafe successfully maintains its traditional roots and offers quality comfort food.
5. Friendly Staff: The cafe is praised for its wonderful, helpful, and friendly staff. This indicates that the staff provide good customer service and create a welcoming atmosphere for customers.
6. Affordable Prices: The cafe is noted for its affordable prices, which is a strength as it ensures that the food and drinks are accessible to a wide range of customers. This affordability may contribute to the cafe's popularity and customer loyalty.
7. Comfortable Surroundings: Customers describe the cafe as having comfortable surroundings, suggesting that they provide a cozy and pleasant environment for customers to relax and enjoy their meals.
8. Fast Service: The food is served fast, according to a customer's comment, indicating that the cafe can efficiently handle orders and provide timely service.
9. Breakfast Options: The cafe offers breakfast options, such as delicious bacon on brown bread and lovely coffee, which are appreciated by customers. This shows that the cafe caters to different meal preferences throughout the day.
10. Update to Card Payment: The cafe recently started accepting card payments, which is a strength as it improves convenience for customers and brings the cafe up-to-date with modern payment methods.
While there are many strengths associated with Colborne House Cafe, there are also a few weaknesses that can be inferred from the comments:
1. Nerve-wracking Atmosphere: The cafe is described as a 1970s time-warp, which may not appeal to younger or more modern customers. This could create a barrier for new customers who prefer a different aesthetic or ambiance.
2. Weak Coffee: Some customers mention that the coffee is weak, suggesting that the quality of the coffee may not be up to their standards. This could be a weakness for customers who prioritize good coffee in their dining experience.
3. Cash Only: The cafe operates on a cash-only basis, which may inconvenience customers who prefer to pay with cards or other electronic payment methods. While they recently started accepting card payments, this weakness could still pose an issue for some customers.
4. Short Queue: The cafe experiences a short queue at lunchtime, especially on Saturdays. This suggests that the cafe may struggle during peak hours to handle a large number of customers efficiently.
Overall, Colborne House Cafe has many strengths, including its nostalgic appeal, varied menu, friendly staff, and affordable prices. However, there are a few weaknesses that should be considered, such as the outdated atmosphere and weak coffee. By addressing these weaknesses and building on its strengths, the cafe can continue to thrive and attract a diverse range of customers.
Place Pictures
Today
Opening Hours
| Monday | 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM |
| Thursday | 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM |
| Friday | 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM |
| Saturday | 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
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