FISH finger sandwiches are rarely found on the menu of a city centre cafe – but that is what makes one deli stand out from the crowd.
Homemade, in Pelham Street, Hockley, is a quirky hideaway which fuses traditional homely grub with one or two surprises.
The lifelong dream of owner Jasmin Barlow-Wilkinson, it has been drawing in the crowds since it first opened its doors nine years ago.
The cafe is now in the running to win the Post and Nottingham Business Improvement District's competition to find the best independent business in the city, after being nominated by customers.
The contest, now in its third year, is designed to discover and celebrate the best independent retailers across the city for 2014.
Homemade, in Pelham Street, Hockley, is a quirky hideaway which fuses traditional homely grub with one or two surprises.
The lifelong dream of owner Jasmin Barlow-Wilkinson, it has been drawing in the crowds since it first opened its doors nine years ago.
The cafe is now in the running to win the Post and Nottingham Business Improvement District's competition to find the best independent business in the city, after being nominated by customers.
The contest, now in its third year, is designed to discover and celebrate the best independent retailers across the city for 2014.
For Jasmin, the key to Homemade's success is its "feel good, family-friendly" vibe.
The name perfectly sums up what Homemade is all about – food made from scratch that makes people feel at home..
The 35-year-old said: "When people come here they know what they're getting – we're not trying to be something we're not.
"Our feedback is really positive – we've got a great army of Homemade fans who tweet about us and write nice things on Facebook."
But far from being a "hipster hangout", Homemade attracts people from all walks of life.
Jasmin added: "Sometimes you'll look in the cafe and see some guys having a business meeting, some students celebrating the end of exams, some yummy mummies sitting with their babies and two old ladies having some tea and scones.
"It's always a real mix. But that's what's great about Homemade – there really is something for everyone."
Jasmin, who started cooking at the age of four, is passionate about food.
Her decision to open a city centre cafe has paid off, and there are now two other Homemade cafes in Sherwood and on The Forest recreation ground.
She said: "Having independent businesses is really important to any city.
"It gives it that USP and unique quirkiness.
"Brighton is one of my favourite places, where the independent shops outweigh the chains. I think that's what Nottingham could become.
"It's taken a while, but there are now more and more independent shops in prominent places, which is great."
Homemade Pelham Street cafe manager Jessica Buckley, 25, says being able to take the establishment in new directions marks it out from some of its high-street rivals.
She said: "I worked at Tesco for six years and left because I wanted to come to an independent company.
"I really feel like we're making more of a difference here – it's much more personal and I can actually make decisions that change the direction of the company by listening to what customer want.
"We've got so many regulars that we know so well – a lot of them have become friends."
Customer Harriet Shaw, 21, visited Homemade after hearing good things.
She said: "I love quaint little cafés like this – it has such a nice feel to it.
"I much prefer going to individual places like this than going to one of the chains.
The name perfectly sums up what Homemade is all about – food made from scratch that makes people feel at home..
The 35-year-old said: "When people come here they know what they're getting – we're not trying to be something we're not.
"Our feedback is really positive – we've got a great army of Homemade fans who tweet about us and write nice things on Facebook."
But far from being a "hipster hangout", Homemade attracts people from all walks of life.
Jasmin added: "Sometimes you'll look in the cafe and see some guys having a business meeting, some students celebrating the end of exams, some yummy mummies sitting with their babies and two old ladies having some tea and scones.
"It's always a real mix. But that's what's great about Homemade – there really is something for everyone."
Jasmin, who started cooking at the age of four, is passionate about food.
Her decision to open a city centre cafe has paid off, and there are now two other Homemade cafes in Sherwood and on The Forest recreation ground.
She said: "Having independent businesses is really important to any city.
"It gives it that USP and unique quirkiness.
"Brighton is one of my favourite places, where the independent shops outweigh the chains. I think that's what Nottingham could become.
"It's taken a while, but there are now more and more independent shops in prominent places, which is great."
Homemade Pelham Street cafe manager Jessica Buckley, 25, says being able to take the establishment in new directions marks it out from some of its high-street rivals.
She said: "I worked at Tesco for six years and left because I wanted to come to an independent company.
"I really feel like we're making more of a difference here – it's much more personal and I can actually make decisions that change the direction of the company by listening to what customer want.
"We've got so many regulars that we know so well – a lot of them have become friends."
Customer Harriet Shaw, 21, visited Homemade after hearing good things.
She said: "I love quaint little cafés like this – it has such a nice feel to it.
"I much prefer going to individual places like this than going to one of the chains.
