Balham welcomes Camden Coffee House

Have you had a chance to try out Camden Coffee House, the new indy cafe near Balham Station?

This is the third cafe that Sunni Parekh, pictured above, has opened with Croydon and Camden completing the trio.  Sunni was born in Camden and now lives in Mitcham.  Hence the North / South divide between his locations.  He's totally transformed the space, that's for sure.  Previously a cold, tiled ex butchers (formerly Chadwicks) which morphed into a florist (Balham Blooms). Some walls are now a lively rich blood orange.  The other walls are neutral tones from which he wants to use the space to showcase local artists.

Balham does seem to be awash with places to grab a coffee and Sunni may seem to be in direct competition with Coffee Me Up, the much loved coffee wagon, also outside the station or even Puccinnos, on the Station platform.  He doesn't see this as an issue. "I'm not competing with the barrow man.  I've even offered to store his milk here.  I see my competition as Starbucks and Nero.  That's why I've gone for this fit out.  Small, chic, more classy, free wifi - all the little perks".

Sunni wants to spread the love of good coffee and build a connection with all the local community.  It's early days yet but all the feedback I have seen has been positive - including my own.  Sunni went the extra mile to make sure I enjoyed my experience at Camden Coffee House and I would defintely recommend it to Balhamites.