Craftea was born from a shared vision of creativity, community, and good coffee. From the very beginning, the goal was to design a different kind of soft play — one that was just as stimulating and imaginative for children as it was welcoming and homely for adults. Too often, children’s venues overlooked the fact that adults are the ones spending the money, so it was important to create a space that felt enjoyable, comfortable, and worth coming back to for everyone.

Craftea originally began as Imagination Station in October 2023 — a mobile children’s events business. It quickly became clear there was a real need for imaginative play in the community… but hauling a building’s worth of toys around wasn’t sustainable. That realization sparked the search for a permanent home.

When the team stepped into The Old Chapel, it was clear the space was meant to be. With elbow grease and plenty of charm, it was transformed into Craftea — filled with pre-loved furniture, upcycled items, and secondhand finds, each piece lovingly restored to create a unique and welcoming atmosphere.

Since early 2025, Laura has been running Craftea while also working as a mental health nurse. With a background in substance misuse and criminal justice, she qualified as a mental health nurse in 2018. Alongside her professional experience, Laura is deeply passionate about community wellbeing and social inclusion, and she channels that passion into making Craftea a safe and welcoming place for all.

Within play sessions at Craftea, families can also enjoy specially designed craft packs. These can either be completed in-house as a fun, creative activity or taken home to continue the play. Each plaster-shaped pack is handmade by Laura, adding a personal and thoughtful touch to every session.

Her values and interests shine through every aspect of Craftea, including:

• Mental health & emotional wellbeing

• LGBTQ+ rights and visibility

• Maternal and perinatal care

• Combating social isolation in the elderly

With new support groups and community initiatives always on the horizon, Craftea has grown into far more than a café — it is a hub of connection, creativity, and care.

In line with its ethics, Craftea does not stock Nestlé or Coca-Cola products.

Craftea continues to grow with the community, offering a space where people can gather, connect, and feel at home.