The TN card is the loyalty card for the TN postcodes that rewards shoppers for supporting local. This month, its founder Jess Gibson chats to Ruby Amarteifio, owner of Ruby’s of London, about her award-winning vegan bakery on Monson Road in Tunbridge Wells
When did Ruby’s of London open its premises here in Tunbridge Wells?
We opened in May 2022 so coming up to a year and half this Christmas!
When did the story of Ruby’s begin?
I launched Ruby’s back in 2010 from Greenwich Market, offering a wide range of vegan bakes. We were one of the first 100 per cent plant-based bakeries in London, and as they say, the rest is history! This was a great success and business grew quickly with lovely customers travelling to us from near and far.
You have grown from a home business to an award-winning brand in just a few years. What is the secret of your success?
Starting this business from home with no money to invest, but a whole heap of passion and determination, has been a real roller coaster with many challenges and triumphs along the way. We have always held true to our core value that ‘free-from’ should never mean ‘less than’. We are committed to producing premium products that use the finest ingredients to ensure the best customer experience possible.
Where does your passion for plant-based food come from?
My passion for good food began at a very early age with many of my childhood memories made in the kitchen.
Being diagnosed with a childhood dairy and egg intolerance, I was often left with the uninspiring free-from option while looking longingly at other birthday girls’ glorious cakes. I believe that this is where the Ruby’s story really began…
Why did you choose Tunbridge Wells for your second bakery?
I moved out to the area and this site (the former Patisserie Valerie café) had stood empty for a long time during pandemic closures.
So it seemed the perfect opportunity to open our second store and breathe life back into it.
We have so loved being here that we have moved all of bakery operations here too, and we now bake everything onsite downstairs.
What delights will we find in your window this November?
We will be launching our lovely new festive cakes on the website for customers to order for their Christmas celebrations. Flavours will include Gingerbread Crumble, Chocolate Cherry and Cookies & Cream Snowflake!
Will you be doing anything in the lead-up to Christmas?
Throughout November we will be offering half-price coffees until 9am – we recently extended our opening hours to catch all the early risers, so customers can now visit us from 7.30am during the week. Our toasties have proved so popular that we have expanded our range, so now you can try our new Chipotle Cheese Toastie or perhaps our new Tuna Melt – perfect for those colder days in the lead up to the festivities…
Thank you so much for joining the TN card. How do you thank our members?
As a small independent business, I am really grateful for the support of the TN card and its lovely members. We thank everyone with a 10% discount from Monday to Friday.
Who: Ruby’s of London
Where: 48-50 Monson Way, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1LU
Opening Hours: 7.30am – 5pm Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm Sat, 9am-4pm Sun
TN Reward:
10% discount Monday to Friday.
For more info:
thetncard.com/rubys-of-london
