Weds 3rd September 2025
Running a successful independent café is not easy, partly due to the presence of some very large and popular brands on virtually every high street, and partly due to rising costs increasing the pressure on the purse strings of the general public. But Alper (Alex) Ceylan, the owner of Brunch & Brew, has not only survived but thrived. This morning he joined the group to share his story.
Everyone calls Alper ‘Alex’ – a nickname he picked up in his youth as he was a huge fan of a footballer of that name. He was born and grew up in Turkey, but has lived in Tenterden for over 20 years with his wife and two young sons.
Alex worked for Mitchells & Butlers for about 15 years, in particular running the Bybrook Barn Harvester in Ashford where he honed his hospitality management skills to the extend that it was used as a regional training centre. But he grew frustrated at having to work weekends, particular with a very young family, so took the decision to open Brunch & Brew in Tenterden instead.
Despite doing so just as Covid hit businesses hard, the café first survived and subsequently thrived, to the extent that when the opportunity to move to larger premises arose, Alex jumped at the chance. The larger floor space allows him not only to offer hot drinks and snacks, but to create a space that can be used for events like the regular WBG meetings and recent themed bottomless brunch. All of which will be underpinned by Alex’s commitment to the use of quality local produce prepared by his expert team.
You can find contact details for Brunch & Brew here – https://www.mytenterden.co.uk/directory/brunch-brew-tenterden-listing-688.aspx#.X_C2TzRxdaQ
