A Plymouth couple has traded their glamorous TV and Hollywood careers for a cozy coffee shop in the heart of the city. Jill Penfold and Justin Lord, both fitness experts with backgrounds in television and film, have embarked on a new chapter by opening Millfields Coffee and Food in a charming building that was once a gardener’s storeroom.
The couple began trading last month, but they’ve already completed a full renovation of the humble space, transforming it into a must-visit spot within the walls of Stonehouse’s former Royal Navy hospital.
“It’s booming,” said Justin. “We’re blending the site’s rich history with modern-day convenience, creating a vibrant hub that serves fresh barista coffee, handmade meals, and essentials for the community. We started by introducing ourselves to the neighborhood inside Millfields, but we’re now expanding outward, reaching more people.”
The 4-square-meter hut, built in the late 1800s, was originally used for storing gardening tools. It sits on the grounds of the Grade II listed hospital, which opened in 1762 and closed in 1995 before being converted into homes and business units. The space has previously been used as a café and even a vegan-only eatery.
“We’ve taken over and opened something classy,” said Justin. “We launched on January 6 and began the revamp while we were already open. That gave us valuable insights into what needed to be done, so we completely gutted the interior.”
After a weekend of hard work, the couple transformed the space, keeping the original layout but adding modern touches. “We stripped it back and added a chimney breast and fireplace. We overhauled the plumbing, electrics, and carpentry to make it perfect,” Justin explained.
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