Monday 2nd January 2023
Happy New Year!!! We do hope you all had a wonderful and festive few weeks!
We start the New Year with a new event and most important of all, a new location for automotive enthusiasts!! I’ve been to many places all over the UK that cater for all lovers of cars and bikes, think we can safely say Caffeine and Machine is the most famous one in the UK, their proposed 2nd site has run into huge opposition from residents close to Carsington Water, so when I heard that a new location was opening so close to home and not actually that far from Caffeine and Machine proposed site, I had to get down on the opening day.
I arrived around 10am and already the place is very busy, Lewis and Ed (both engineers by profession) were most welcoming, although I did not book as I was invited as ‘Press/Media’, a pre-booked system is the only way to operate, to control the volume and minimal disturbance to locals and traffic, the steady flow of traffic in and out seemed to work well. some very nice cars in attendance, sadly as I pulled into the car park, a lovely Guards Red 930 Turbo was leaving, would of love to of taken a few shots!
Bumped into an old friend, Alex of The Drivers Collection, always good to see Alex!! Anyway, speaking to the owners, they have worked extremely hard to get to this point, the turnaround from getting the keys to the property and creating it into what it is was very short, they have done an amazing job.
The coffee and food were great, expected niggles to the workflow of the new cafe are expected but I did not wait too long for my bacon roll and flat white. The conservatory served as a great seating area adjacent to the main cafe, some cool wall art hung on the walls, all tastefully done, as cafes go, I love it!!
I fully recommend this venue, it caters for all automotive disciplines, I can see it having bike nights, JDM nights, Porsche Nights (in fact one is planned in February), private car launches or even a Clique53 night!!!, And with the planned Phase 2 happening in the spring, leased land from the Chatsworth estate that will have space for a further 40 to 50 cars, I see Ignition Cars & Coffee to be a great success.
As Ignition Cars & Coffee is based just on the border of the Peak District, a stones throw from Chatsworth House, its location is ideal for either the start of your Peak District tour or the end of it, Lewis, Ed and the team will certainly welcome you whatever your tour schedule.
It’s great to see people whose passion turns into a business, please go and support them, I wish them all the very best.
All images by BeFormless Photography
One final thing, and it’s the most important!
When leaving the venue, please leave sensibly, yes I did witness a few flooring it on the way out, resist the urge….
It takes one complaint from locals, then it can escalate and put the business at risk.
Be fair, be safe and don’t leave like a dick!
