One of Alloa’s best loved cafes is turning 10 next month, celebrating a decade of memories, connections and delicious food and drink. We caught up with Alison Turner and asked her to tell us all about the past 10 years at the Ladybird Tea Room:

“And just like that we are nearly 10 years old… 6th February 2026 to be precise!

Who would have thought that this milestone would have been achieved…2 lockdowns…multiple events and every year has been different.

The first year was all Alice in Wonderland themed tea parties, the second year was all the grown ups returning for their themed parties…with alcohol byob of course…

The third year was when we started outside catering properly from buffets to working lunches to baby showers and bridal breakfasts, you name it we did it…

Year 4…2020 and the real challenges began…a 3 month lockdown that I did not know how we would return to business, but we did with takeaway afternoon tea boxes. Outside dining brought the shop well and truly back to life…

Then in 2021 the second lockdown came and I really was not sure how we would come back from this one, so we  took on feeding a local nursery, up to 50 meals every day delivered by 11.30am…that was both a pleasure and a challenge alongside a very busy shop.

By 2022 it was clearly too much of a challenge and the nursery contract was passed over to them and my focus became the shop once more.

The last 2 years have had the cost of living crisis and like all other businesses we have had to batten down the hatches to keep going.

It really has been a journey and I have met the most amazing people along the way, some of which have become friends and much more than customers…

So with all our events, fundraising, charity works, involvement with local schools and work experience, we really have made a mark , I did not write that in the business plan, in fact I have just done what was right at the time…lets see what the future brings, thank you to all our customers old and new for all your support over the last 10 years!

Alison x”

To celebrate the big anniversary, customers can enjoy a delicious Afternoon Tea for £10 per person! This offer will be on throughout the month of February, so please get in touch with the Ladybird Tea Room to order by visiting them in East Vennel or calling 01259 210102.