A brand-new coffee shop, Leo’s, opened its doors on Saturday, February 14th, right by the beach at The Welcome Centre in Camber’s central car park.
This exciting addition to the Camber Sands community, opening on Valentine’s Day, is the dream project of Nancy and Jon Newman-Oller, who recently relocated from London. Both come from the tech sector, but Jon also brings hospitality experience and a passion for great coffee. Named after their young son, Leo’s brings an independent, high-quality coffee experience to Camber Sands.
The idea for Leo’s came during a visit to Camber, when Nancy and Jon discovered The Welcome Centre under construction. After contacting Rother District Council, they learned kiosk space was available — and their proposal for a welcoming, locally minded coffee shop was exactly what the council was seeking.
Jon explains their vision: “We want Leo’s to feel welcoming to locals all year round, not just something for visitors during peak season.” Leo’s is primarily a takeaway service – there are some benches outside for those who wish to sit, have a refreshment and rest their legs.
Coffee is the soul of Leo’s, brewed from specialty beans supplied by Origin Coffee — an award-winning roaster founded in Cornwall in 2004, known for its ethical sourcing and partnerships with independent cafés as well as restaurants and hotels across the UK. For non-coffee drinkers, there are indulgent options like hot chocolate, matcha, soft drinks along with a tempting selection of fresh pastries. Early favourites include their salted caramel brownie, already a local hit.
In the off-season, when dogs are allowed on this part of the beach, Leo’s welcomes furry visitors too, with fresh water and biscuits for good behaviour. The couple have introduced a Dog Wall of Fame, where they take polaroid pics of their dog visitors to showcase proudly on their wall.
Community and sustainability sit at the centre of everything Leo’s does. Milk is sourced from Northiam Dairy, and wherever possible, other ingredients come from local producers. The shop’s cups are fully compostable, and customers are encouraged to return used ones for a discount — a simple but effective way to help keep the beach litter-free.
Jon works in the shop full-time, while Nancy oversees operations, staffing, and compliance behind the scenes, with plans to spend more time on site as the business grows.
As the couple put it, “Leo’s isn’t ‘Costa Coastal’ — it’s an independent, friendly local coffee shop, committed to ethical sourcing, thoughtful design, and genuine community connection.”
So next time you’re strolling along Camber Sands, stop by Leo’s and treat yourself to a cup of expertly crafted coffee. After all, the best beach walk starts with the best brew — and a new wave of flavour.
Leo’s, Kiosk, Camber Sands Welcome Centre, Central Car park, Old Lydd Road, Camber, TN31 7RH
Opening Hours: September to April: Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 2.30 pm, May to August: Daily 9am to 5pm
