New Swedish-themed coffee shop in Havers Lane Parade, Bishop’s Stortford has community at its heart

There’s a unique theme behind a new coffee shop in Bishop’s Stortford – but with the businessman behind the project having lived in the area for 40 years, community is at the heart of its ethos.

When Dominic Pegg teamed up with friend Mark Gostello to bring the shop at 1 Havers Lane Parade back to life after being empty for more than five years, his inspiration for its theme came from the Swedish word ‘Fika’.

Loosely translated, Fika means a coffee and cake break, and from that came the eventual name of the shop, Lagom, which can mean “just the right amount” or “not too much, not too little”.

The name drew some curious glances as the launch date approached, but after six months it is growing in popularity.

With backgrounds in construction, it was a new venture for Dominic and Mark and has been a steep learning curve.

“I lived and grew up at the top of Havers Lane,” said Dominic. “After moving back nearby in adult life, I felt there were too many shops closed in the local parade.”

So determined was he to make his dream reality that he underwent a laborious process to obtain the lease.

With some help from his 15-year-old daughter Jess with the branding, the shop opened in August with a concept of grab and go, targeting commuters on their way to work, dog walkers, parents on the school run and builders looking for a stop-off for lunch.

Dominic said the shop tries to cater for all tastes. “I knew we wouldn’t have lots of footfall, but felt with the right marketing we could attract people to us.”

Lagom is open Tuesdays to Fridays 8.30am-4.30pm and Saturdays 8.30am-1.30pm.