On the High Street, in the spot formerly occupied by Star and Rose florists, there’s a bright new arrival on the block: Bridge Deli.
On a sunny winter day, I popped in to meet Sophie and Yux, the couple behind Tonbridge’s newest deli. I’ll be honest – I was brimming with excitement. Even though the shop has been open for around a month, I’d been deliberately saving my first visit for this pre-arranged meeting.
As soon as I arrive, it’s clear that Bridge Deli is already popular. People are coming in and out, grabbing coffees, browsing the shelves, chatting with Sophie behind the counter. I spend some time talking with her and her excitement for this new venture is completely infectious.
Bridge Deli opened in December, just before Christmas, after a slightly delayed start. Initially, customers were coming in to stock up on cheese for the festive season – and that hasn’t slowed down. Sophie laughs that Comté seems to be a crowd pleaser (well who doesn’t like a bit of Comté) and more recently people have been seeking out specialist ingredients too – Mexican products, chilli oils, and fancy pantry staples. And yes, they do sell Perello Olives!
The deli now does sandwiches as well, which feel refreshingly well-priced for freshly made, toasted options, starting at £4.50 – ideal for a lunchtime treat.
I visit just after the lunch rush and the bread and pastry stocks – including pastel de natas and croissants – are already dwindling. A sure sign of a busy morning serving customers with a sweet tooth. Sophie admits her personal favourite is the brown butter cookie, and jokes that thankfully they usually sell out, so she doesn’t have to “endure” eating one every day.
What really comes across, more than anything, is that this is a family business. Sophie and Yux are a couple, navigating the new territory of running a business together (something John and I can definitely relate to). Sophie describes it simply as a “family affair”, and that feels exactly right. Sophie brings a corporate background and is clearly the organisational powerhouse, while Yux brings hands-on deli experience, with strong food and retail credentials. Together, their passion for what they’re building is obvious.
It’s also clear how much they genuinely love Tonbridge. When I ask Sophie what they want the customer experience to be like, she answers without hesitation:
“We want to be part of the community.”
They want Bridge Deli to feel friendly and approachable, a place where people feel comfortable popping in, asking questions, and discovering new things. As Sophie puts it, “we are friendly like to chat and want to help people find exactly what they’re looking for.”
I joke about how some delis can feel intimidating – you open the door and everyone stares at you in silence. Sophie laughs and adds, “Yes, and the record player scratches to a stop.” We agree: definitely not the vibe here.
Instead, the door is open, there’s a bench outside for people to sit with a coffee, and even a chair inside that’s apparently often claimed some afternoons by new regulars. They already have several regular customers, and Sophie says they’ve felt truly embraced by the community. It’s still early days, but she explains that “it’s very much push and pull – we love feedback from customers and locals, we love to hear what people want to find in the shop.”
Sophie and Yux live in Tunbridge Wells, but both have strong connections to both towns. They met in London, but once they started a family, they found themselves spending more and more time in Tonbridge. When this unit became available, they were keen to snap up such a prime location.
And it’s already becoming a bit of a community hub. Dogs are welcome. Anyone is welcome – even if you’re “just browsing”. I can really see Bridge Deli becoming a focal point on the High Street: warm, friendly, and full of such good things.
They already stock some lovely local products – including local coffee and honey – and while I’m there they’re meeting new suppliers. Supporting small producers is clearly important to them, and Sophie tells me they’re constantly discovering new brands: “We’re hearing from some fantastic suppliers on social media and we’re excited about all these new products.”
When I ask Sophie about her favourite product, she hesitates (understandably), but eventually mentions Yok Chan’s chilli oil. Naturally, I buy a jar – and I can now confirm it improves everything. I’ve had it drizzled over aubergine pasta, stirred into Tom Yum soup, sprinkled onto scrambled eggs… I even briefly considered trying it on salted caramel ice cream (I resisted). I’ll definitely be back for more.
Bridge Deli caters for all sorts of needs too – with gluten-free and dairy-free options, and an impressive range of products for every occasion: fancy oils, chilli dips, pasta sauces, proper Italian pasta, fresh produce and drinks. It’s the perfect place for a last-minute gift, a dinner party contribution, or a little Saturday treat.
Coffee is already one of their best sellers – and it’s easy to see why. The beans come from Penelope Roasters in Tunbridge Wells, and professional baristas are serving up excellent takeaway coffees all day long (and prices are super reasonable – £3 for a flat white – hello!)
Bridge Deli already feels like it’s exactly where it should be – right in the heart of Tonbridge, bringing good food, good coffee, and a genuine sense of connection to the High Street. And if Sophie and Yux have anything to do with it, it won’t just be a shop – it’ll be part of the fabric of the town. We can’t wait to see how their journey evolves.
Do you have something you want to tell the Tonbridge Bean about our town? Write to us at tonbridgebean@gmail.com with your thoughts and photos!
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