The toilet block and bus shelter at the front of Sanderstead recreation ground had been an unloved, unused building since 1997. Mandy and Tim moved to Sanderstead in 2011 having already worked in the area since 2007 and had family living nearby in Warlingham.  Both with community and teaching backgrounds they set about enquiring what could be done to transform this derelict building into something more pleasing to the eye and that benefits the community.

 

After initially writing to the council it took almost 2 years to reach the point of beginning renovations, which they took on themselves.  The sturdy building was resistant to the changes and it took 5 months to do instead of the planned 3 months.

 

Despite the £20,000 investment to renovate the building, they remained true to the style and atmosphere they set out to achieve. All the family were involved with the main building work done by H and T Construction in their free time and even Mandy’s children grabbing a brush and painting the walls.

 

With family at the heart the small shop is named after Mandy’s Nan – Prissy, and inside the décor and crockery resemble life growing up for Tim with his grandmothers, Joan and Sue.  In the far corner, an old singer sewing machine can be found, housing lovely new homeware products for sale, which used to belong to a great aunt.  Other furniture inside Priscilla’s Tea Room were lovingly sourced from fairs, antique shops and boot sales both locally and in France.