Threlkeld Coffee Shop: A Warm Community Hub with a Perfect Acoustic Solution
Nestled in the picturesque village of Threlkeld, within the charming Threlkeld Village Hall, the Threlkeld Coffee Shop is a welcoming spot for everyone. Whether you're a walker taking a well-deserved break, a cyclist refueling, or simply someone looking to enjoy a relaxing drink with a beautiful view, this community-focused café has something for all. With both indoor and outdoor seating, you can sip your coffee while soaking in the stunning vistas of the Lake District—a perfect blend of nature and community.
A Café with a Cause
What sets Threlkeld Coffee Shop apart is its commitment to local employment, regional suppliers, and Fairtrade products. Operated as a Community Interest Company (CIC), the coffee shop is run professionally but owned by the charity that manages the Village Hall. This unique setup means that all profits from the café go directly back into supporting the Village Hall and the wider Threlkeld community. Each visit to the coffee shop contributes to the ongoing development of this vibrant village hub, making every cup of coffee a small but meaningful contribution to the area.
The Acoustic Challenge
While the coffee shop’s ethos and atmosphere were undoubtedly drawing visitors in, it soon became clear that there was one element that needed attention: acoustics. Spaces with lots of acoustically reflective surfaces can suffer from excessive reverberation—that echoey, noisy feeling that makes it difficult to hold a conversation, especially in a busy café.
As foot traffic increased and more customers gathered, the sound bouncing off the hard surfaces of the café became a bit overwhelming. This posed a challenge for both customers trying to enjoy their drinks and staff striving to create a pleasant, quiet environment.
Enter SRS and the Sonata Solution
To address the issue, Threlkeld Coffee Shop turned to SRS, a company that specializes in high-performance sound absorption products. Alex Docherty, SRS Director, visited the café to assess the space and determine the best solution. His recommendation? An attractive and effective acoustic treatment that would integrate seamlessly into the existing design of the café—Sonata Aurio panels.
After surveying the space, Alex found that the ceiling offered the most obvious location for the panels. With existing downlights and emergency lighting already in place, the challenge was to install the panels without disrupting the café’s welcoming aesthetic.
The Installation
SRS supplied and installed a combination of 1200x600mm and 1200x500mm Sonata Aurio Class A acoustic panels. These panels were arranged neatly in rows between the lighting fixtures, blending in beautifully with the café’s design. In total, 18.96m² of Sonata Aurio panels were installed, reducing the modelled reverberation time (Tmf) from 2.9 seconds to a much more manageable 1.1 seconds. This dramatic reduction in reverberation helped to create a significantly more comfortable acoustic environment.
A Positive Response
Barbara Lowesmith, member of Threlkeld Village Hall Commitee, commented on the results:
"Very happy thank you. Already had some positive feedback from customers and staff."
Indeed, the improvements were immediate. Visitors and staff alike noticed the difference, and the café’s atmosphere became far more comfortable and conducive to conversation.
SRS: A Sound Solution for Your Space
If your village hall, scout hut, school hall, or any large open area is suffering from excessive reverberation, SRS can help. They specialize in high-performance, Class A rated Sonata sound absorption products, which are designed to reduce noise and create a more enjoyable environment in any space.
For a quick estimate, simply use SRS’s 3 Step Estimator form. This user-friendly tool works on mobile devices, so you can easily upload photographs and room dimensions directly from the site. If you prefer, you can also email or WhatsApp them your information, and they’ll get back to you with a tailored solution.
Whether you're managing a café, community center, or large event space, SRS’s acoustic solutions could be just what you need to create a more pleasant, quieter environment for everyone.
Visit Threlkeld Village Hall and Support the Community
Don’t forget to check out the Threlkeld Village Hall website for more information on the café and the services offered by the Village Hall. Every visit supports the community, so you can feel good knowing that your coffee is making a difference in the heart of Threlkeld.
Website: Threlkeld Village Hall
