A new independent coffee shop and bakery, Leo’s, is set to open on Saturday 14 February in the newly-built Welcome Centre at Camber’s Central car park.
Run by Nancy and Jon Newman-Oller, the takeaway coffee spot is the result of what the couple describe as a “very happy accident”. Both previously worked in London’s tech sector, but Jon has a background in hospitality and both have a deep-rooted passion for coffee. After years of considering opening a café in London, high costs made the idea unrealistic.
A staycation to Kent last year changed everything. While visiting friends in Camber and walking along the beach, the couple spotted the building under construction. When they later discovered the kiosk space was available, they submitted a proposal to the council — and were surprised to find it was exactly what was being sought. The lease was signed two months ago.
Leo’s at Camber aims to bring a high-quality, independent coffee experience to the seafront while remaining firmly rooted in the local community. Jon said the goal is to create a place that feels genuinely welcoming to locals year-round, not just something aimed at tourists in peak season. Although the kiosk is takeaway only, the focus is on friendly service, familiar faces and building relationships with regular customers.
Jon will be working in the coffee shop full time from day one, while Nancy will be closely involved behind the scenes, overseeing operations, staffing and compliance — and plans to spend as much time on site as possible. “We don’t want to just set it up and step away,” they explained. “We want to be the face of it.”
Coffee will be at the heart of the offering, using speciality beans from Origin Coffee, a UK award-winning roaster known for its strong sustainability credentials. The menu will reflect an Australian/New Zealand-style coffee culture, alongside matcha, indulgent hot chocolate and options for non-coffee drinkers.
Fresh bakes will include standout items such as waffle-toasted banana bread with butter and sea salt, and a salted caramel brownie described as a firm favourite. While baked goods will initially be supplied by an external baker, the long-term ambition is to open their own bakery nearby.
Sustainability and local sourcing have been central to the project. Milk will be supplied by Northiam Dairy, and as many producers as possible have been chosen from the local area. Fully compostable cups are used, and customers are encouraged to return them to Leo’s for a discount — an initiative designed to reduce litter on the beach.
The couple are keen to reassure locals that Leo’s is not a corporate chain in disguise. “We don’t want anyone to feel like Costa has moved in,” they said, emphasising their commitment to local suppliers, ethical sourcing and thoughtful design.
Leo’s
Kiosk, Camber Sands Welcome Centre, Central Car Park, Old Lydd Road, Camber, TN31 7RH
Opening hours:
- September to April: Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 2.30pm
- May to August: Daily, 9am to 5pm
Image Credits: Nancy and Jonathan Newman-Oller .