Located in the picturesque market town of Pickering − a popular gateway to the North York Moors and home to Invicta − Caffé Stop has become a firm favourite with both locals and visitors.

Owned and run by Dave Clarke, the café was a dream retirement project following a career spent largely in the Middle East. Eleven years on, the business is thriving − and at 81, Dave remains as passionate to the cause as ever.

Working alongside him is his wife Ruth, a professional cook, whose experience helps maintain the quality and consistency the café is known for. Together, they run a close-knit operation built on hard work and a genuine love of good food – a commitment reflected in the café being recognised as a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice winner, placing it among the top 10% of eateries worldwide.

After a year of running Caffé Stop, Dave expanded by opening a bakery just opposite. This allowed him to produce freshly baked goods in-house, supplying the café while also supporting a growing outside catering offering. Their popular ‘buffet in a box’ − including afternoon teas and seasonal themed boxes − has built a loyal local following, with customers returning time and time again. Today, a team of eight works across the bakery and cafe, operating seven days a week.

Since establishing the bakery, Dave has sourced much of his equipment from Invicta, from standard bread tins to bespoke items such as quiche tins. Spending most of his time in the bakery, he values having reliable equipment he can depend on day to day. Being local means he can call into the factory to discuss requirements directly with the team − something he values highly.

“Invicta are a really good company to deal with,” he says. “They always listen to what you need when it comes to bespoke items and come up with exactly the right solution. The quality is excellent and the customer service is first class.

“They’ve even turned things around for me very quickly just before a scheduled holiday. It’s good old-fashioned personal service − you know you’ll be looked after.

“At the end of the day, you’re only as good as the tools you use. Proper equipment for the job is key to getting top-quality results − along with having the right people around you.”

For a business built on consistency and reputation, having reliable equipment is essential. “If the quality wasn’t there, I wouldn’t keep buying the products. It’s as simple as that,” he added.

Dave’s story reflects the value of experience, dedication and doing things properly − supported by quality you can rely on. From independent bakers like Caffé Stop to large-scale operations and well-known brands, Invicta continues to support customers across the industry with dependable, hard-working equipment.