A new coffee shop will open in Redbridge this week.

Run by husband-and-wife duo Randeep and Chetna Sohal, Artful Blend will open for the first time at 10am this Friday, September 24.

Ilford Recorder: Artful Blend in Roding Lane SouthArtful Blend in Roding Lane South (Image: Artful Blend)

The coffee shop will serve around 30 to 35 people and has a pavement license for its premises in Roding Lane South.

Its name is a reference to Artful Skecha, the name under which Randeep publishes his works as an artist.

Ilford Recorder: The coffee shop will serve a range of drinks and pastriesThe coffee shop will serve a range of drinks and pastries (Image: Artful Blend)

Chetna said lockdown had inspired them to take on the challenge and said that they had become “absolute fanatics” about coffee after getting a home barista machine.

She said that they had focused on making the café a unique space, with “lively hustle and bustle” in the neon-lit front room and a more relaxed atmosphere in the backroom, which has a skylight.

Ilford Recorder: Artful Blend will have 30-35 coversArtful Blend will have 30-35 covers (Image: Artful Blend)

“We didn't want it to just be come in and get a coffee, we wanted it to be an experience for customers,” she said.