Ian Pattison and his wife Sarah started Pattisons café at Tattenham Corner just over five years ago. Prior to this Ian and Sarah worked at the local Coop store. He previously had a 20-year career with the Coop managing various stores and travelling all over the country supporting refits. He was also a Special Constable with the Metropolitan Police for five years.
When Ian and Sarah decided to get married they had to leave the Coop which had a rule about married couples not working in the same store. Ian asked Sarah if she fancied running a café instead and she jumped at the idea and so Pattisons started life at Tattenham Corner.
They live in Preston with their two daughters.
In addition to the breakfast, morning coffee and lunch trade, Ian provides an outside catering service to local schools and organisations in the area. He also operates a BBQ service for local events.
Starting with just the two of them, Ian and Sarah have grown the business considerably and have a large local following. There are now seven people working in the business, mostly family members which helps ensure a friendly and quality service.
Ian has long been involved with community activities and is a founder committee member of the Tattenham & Preston Community Group which organises the summer and Christmas events on the village green and other activities such as bingo at St Mark’s church. He and Sarah believe that it is important to give back to the local community that supports their trade.
But it has not always been “plain sailing”. Pattisons had to close for 13 weeks during Covid. Ian managed to keep up the payments for rent and other business costs with the help of a business loan, but it will take some time to pay this off. Energy costs have also increased from £600 to £1500 a month. But they are both philosophical about their situation. They have a loyal customer base and want to continue operating a successful community business with many regular customers.
This year Ian is sponsoring local teenager Lewis Stannard (he was born in 2010) who plans to be a successful racing driver. He has been racing go-karts since he was four and this year will be competing in the national Junior Saloon Car Championship.
He suffered badly with Covid in 2020 which left him with Type 1 Diabetes and neurodiversity issues. This initially lost him his licence to race but, despite now suffering from autism, he was determined to continue racing and this year will be competing in the Junior Saloon Car Championship with the goal of moving up to The British Touring Car Championship. He likes to remind his followers that his namesake Lewis Hamilton started his career in go-karts!
Ian wants to encourage Lewis with his goal and will be following this Banstead based teenager throughout this year’s racing season.
So when you are next visiting the Tattenham Corner shops, pop into Pattisons for a coffee or even try one of their breakfast or lunch specials.