A TRENDY art studio has thrown open the doors to its new bar and cafe, allowing customers to enjoy a glass of bubbly or a cocktail while working on their pottery.

Create 98, owned by Alison Cottridge and Simon Fowler, opened in 2019 holding art classes, pottery, painting and much more but was keen to expand its offering.

After being given the green light to sell booze, Alison and Simon officially opened their bar on Friday offering craft beers, provided by Leigh Brewery, and a range of cocktails including mojitos, pornstar Martinis and strawberry daiquiris.

At the cafe, the Leigh Broadway art studio lets customers enjoy a house blend of coffee as well as “mix and match” tea leaves to create their own flavours.

The bar and cafe is already proving a hit with customers as they sit down to enjoy a drink while letting out their creativity.

Alison said: “Opening the bar on Friday was absolutely amazing, what we have is a crafting cafe, we have what we call a craft menu for art and crafts so people can come in and do some crafts with their tea, coffee, and beer.

“Our ceramics have been massively popular, and we let people paint at the table and then fire them off.

“Create 98 is basically here to let people eat, drink, craft and learn.

“We have a full selection of creative tutor-run workshops, anything from drawing and painting to pottery making and jewellery making.

“If anyone wants to come, they can, and we set everything up for you.”

Alison added that the bar offers wines from the Newhall wine estate in Chelmsford and beers from the Leigh Brewery, bottled beer and as well as food including sweet treats, toasties and sandwiches.

“We also sell homemade fudge; we have an amazing barista too who has designed a coffee flavour for us, we recommend a lot of special drinks to people,” Alison added.

Create 98s new cafe accompanies their “secret garden” space, which has a nice deck area for people to take their drinks and offers an estuary view.