All Together Bury: Victoria Kay, Barista Café Bar

Nest up in our All Together Bury series, we’re celebrating the independent businesses that bring people together in the heart of the town.

This time, we caught up with Victoria Kay, owner of Barista Café Bar, located at The Rock.

Since opening on 15 July 2010 – the very day The Rock opened – Barista has become a familiar and welcoming space for locals, workers and visitors alike.

Q: For anyone who hasn’t visited before, how would you describe Barista Café Bar?
Victoria:
“I run an independent café bar inspired by a lifelong love of food and hospitality. Our menu focuses on Mediterranean flavours, casual dining and sharing plates, and the aim has always been to create a space where people feel comfortable, welcome and at home.”

“It’s a place for the community to come together – whether you’re dining alone, meeting friends, or spending time with loved ones.”

Q: How did the business begin?
Victoria:
“Barista started as a dream after I became a mum and began looking for something more personally fulfilling than my career in corporate marketing and advertising.”

“I’ve always loved food, hosting and the way hospitality brings people together. After successfully running a small café in a nearby town, we chose to move into Bury town centre – drawn by its strong sense of community and the opportunity to build something in a place we could truly call home.”

Q: What makes Barista special – and uniquely ‘Bury’?
Victoria:
“For me, it’s the relationships we build. We take pride in really getting to know our customers – their routines, their favourite coffee orders, and the moments in their lives they choose to share with us.”

“Great food, flavours, wines and beers are at the heart of what we do, but it’s the friendliness and care shown by myself and the team that keeps people coming back. We’ve shared celebrations, milestones and everyday moments, and that sense of connection means everything to us.”

Q: What do you enjoy most about being part of Bury’s business community?
Victoria:
“There’s a shared passion for the town and its people. Independent businesses here support one another, understand the challenges of running a small business, and genuinely want each other to succeed.”

“Being part of Bury also gives small businesses a voice – with stakeholders who listen and support us. That sense of collaboration, pride and community spirit is what makes working here so special.”

Q: This campaign is called ‘All Together Bury’. What does that mean to you?
Victoria:
“Our café bar is all about connection – bringing people together over good food, great wine and friendly conversation – and that’s exactly what All Together Bury represents.”

“It celebrates the independent businesses that make the town centre welcoming, creative and vibrant, and it gives us a platform to share why Bury is such a brilliant place to eat, shop and spend time.”

Q: And finally – your Bury favourites…
Favourite spots: “Barista Café Bar, of course — but also Broad Street Social, The Trackside, Wax and Beans, and Marks & Spencer (I must visit daily!) plus H&M for work clothes. It’s great having both independents and big brands in one compact town centre.”
Hidden gem: “The Victoria Wood statue.”
Go-to order: “A single cortado, extra hot, and an almond croissant.”

Q: What’s next for Barista Café Bar?
Victoria:
“Hospitality is tough right now, especially for small independents, so we’re finding creative ways to grow while staying true to who we are.”

“This spring and summer, we’re refreshing our menu – more streamlined, cost-conscious, but still full of choice and designed with a chef’s eye. Our popular Sunday roast will continue year-round, offering a proper town-centre Sunday lunch.”

“We’re also introducing private hire, making the café bar available to local businesses during quieter hours, with fully catered canapé menus for meetings and celebrations.”

“Alongside that, we’re relaunching Barista at Home – chef-prepared meals ready to enjoy at home, bringing the Barista experience straight to your kitchen.”

“All of this helps us support our team, delight our customers and keep the business thriving – while continuing to do what we’ve always done best: connecting people through food, drink and community.”

Follow @DiscoverBury to discover more stories celebrating the people and businesses at the heart of our town — All Together Bury.