Sherlock’s: Enjoy a spot of tea
and all your favourite UK products
 Robert Goodrick and Andy Bradshaw with ‘Her Majesty’. In fact she was a he: a female impersonator by the name of Bill Monroe who did a brilliant job of portraying the royal visitor. The duo staged the hoax as a publicity stunt for their new tea room where they are now serving traditional British high tea.
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 DO YOU recognize any familiar figures in this photograph outside Sherlock’s British Sweets, Groceries and Soccer in New Westminster, B.C. You might be forgiven for thinking the lady in the centre is the Queen of England. It wasn’t even April Fool’s Day yet, but the joke pulled the wool over a few eyes. Even the Mayor of New Westminster, along with a delegation of City Councillors, turned out to welcome her.
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 ROBERT GOODRICK with Andy Bradshaw in the new tea room at Sherlock’s in New Westminster.
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 WAYNE WRIGHT the Mayor of New Westminster was a good sport and enjoyed a cup of tea with ‘Her Majesty’ in the new tea room at Sherlock’s. The mayor, along with a number of his councillors fell for the bait and were on hand to greet the ‘Queen’ on her recent hush hush visit.
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NEW WESTMINSTER – Sherlock’s British Sweets, Groceries and Soccer in New Westminster has just added a new tea room to its name.
I recently dropped in to say hello to Andy Bradshaw and Robert Goodrick and enjoy a spot of tea in the new tea room.
Robert and I reminisced that our acquaintance goes back to when he owned his butcher shop in Kerrisdale. He can’t believe that The Celtic Connection will be celebrating 20 years in publishing next year...neither can I!
“The idea for the tea room started about two years ago and it’s taken me that long to get it together” said Andy. “We have fantastic walk-in traffic right outside our front door and just across the street are offices, the Court House and College.”
He said, “for lunchtime our main area is soup and sandwiches and delicious Goodrick’s hot meat pies. These are baked right here on the premises and you can either eat them here or for take-away. Since they are fresh and hot, there is no need to put them in the microwave.”
Then, he said, “at about 1:30 PM, we dress the tables, put out the best china and make it into a tea room for the seniors and anyone who wants to enjoy a high tea.
“The cost is $19.99 and that includes a large pot of tea with refills, traditional cucumber sandwiches, fish sandwiches, scones with Devon cream and jam, fruit tarts or cheese cakes. It’s a nice sampling with good quality.”
Andy said many people are surprised when they come in for the tea.
“They don’t realize how deep the store is and how many showcases there are with various collectables and antique articles. The ladies in particular love the jewellery showcases.”
In the British groceries and sweets section many people experience a sense of nostalgia for their favourite childhood treats and the memories that certain UK products can evoke.
Since the recent opening of the tea room, Andy has been quite surprised at the local response.
Many residents of New Westminster have donated artwork for the walls of the tea room. The response has been so great that Andy is now considering opening up more flooring space to accommodate additional tables in the tea room.
Another new area that has been added at Sherlock’s is the British magazine section which has really taken off. They are now taking special orders for customers.
Sherlock’s is a one-stop UK shopping centre where you can purchase all your favourite British groceries and sweets.
British-born butcher, Robert Goodrick is on the premises supplying specialty bacons, hams, sausages, black and white puddings and steamy hot meat pies.
If you love Premier League football (soccer) there is everything from jerseys to key rings, and, of course, there are antique jewellery and collectable showcases.
And now, a tea room where patrons can enjoy high tea, and soon a Gelato ice cream bar. What else could you wish for....maybe a bar with British ales?
There’s the old saying, “when you snooze you lose.”
Andy Bradshaw is always planning and keeping an eye on the market. He’s the ideas man for Sherlock’s, and you won’t find him snoozing.
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Sherlock’s British Sweets, Groceries, Soccer and Tea Room is located at 659 Columbia Street, New Westminster, B.C. For more information, call (604) 529-1999, or visit: www.britfood.ca.
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