A Journey from Canada to England: The Birth of a Mobile Cafe.
We’ve come a long way, baby.
The Split Screen Coffee Company has come a long way since its inception in 2015. What started from a beautifully converted 1965 VW Split Window camper van serving locally-roasted barista coffee has now transformed into the Split Screen Food & Drink Company.
With a permanent home in partnership with the Framework Knitters Museum, Split Screen now runs its café, Parker's Yard, in the heart of Ruddington's vibrant community.
In addition to serving up our signature coffees, Split Screen now offer a selection of hot and cold drinks, speciality teas, light bites, and baked goods sourced from local and ethical suppliers. And with our recent WSET training and licensing, we have added premium alcoholic beverages to our menu, making us the perfect destination for any lover of good vibes, specialist food and fine wines.
We host a schedule of eclectic events in our beautiful new village home - a hub for the community and a must-visit destination for anyone in the area.
Proud of our humble beginnings, our faithful campervan 'May' continues to operate as a mobile van business available for hire for unique events, festivals, parties and weddings.
How it all began.
Originating from Canada, I traveled and worked before finding myself in Queenstown, New Zealand. It was in this beautiful ski-resort town that I met my partner, Mike and our journey together led us to the gentle rolling green hills of England.
For 15 years, I dedicated myself to state education, but after having children, I wanted a career that would allow me to work around family life. We had a beloved Bay-window camper, Dylan, which had taken us on many adventures around the country. This inspired an idea - could we turn a camper into a mobile bar or cafe? We noticed the positive reaction we received when driving around in our van - smiles, waves, and photos. People loved these campers and shared endless memories of family holidays, honeymoons, and camping trips. They seemed to represent a warm feeling of imperfect human togetherness. This inspired us to do more research, and that's when we found our May.
Since then, May and I have been a team, and every time I start her up, a smile spreads across my face. She's like a reliable old work friend, scratched and bruised from a life of work, but still able to connect with people wherever we go. May is the vehicle that delivers my enthusiasm for quality coffee for all. There is no snobbery, no hipsters, no pretense, just the belief that a good cup of coffee is a treat that should be available to everyone, wherever they may be.
I always loved the busy, buzzy atmosphere of a cafe and owing my own has always been a hope...enter our collaboration with Framework Knitters Museum and the opportunity to call Parkers Yard our permanent home in the heart of our home community.
