Bubble tea shop opens in West Sussex – and it’s a ‘one-stop shop for the whole family'

Susana Machado, along with business partner Ian Mutton and daughter Jenny Nunes, has launched Blue Sea & Bubbles in Surrey Street.

Susana, who is originally from Porto in Portugal, ran a Portuguese coffee shop in Beach Road for 13 years. She also ran restaurants in London and Portugal, so has a lot of hospitality experience.

I met Susana and Jenny just two weeks after the opening event on July 4, and they said they’re already settling into the space.

Jenny said: “The response has been really good so far, we’ve been doing really well. The opening was sensational.

“The concept is having something for everyone. We hope people will come down and try us because you can come down as a family, and I’d be shocked if you couldn’t find something for everyone.

"From the cakes, to the milkshakes, to the bubble tea, to the chicken, we’re a one-stop shop.”

While Susana added: “This is my baby, and I’m already looking to open in Chichester and Worthing, too. I’m really enjoying it so far.”

The business owns a tuk-tuk that can take customers on a free ride around the town, which is already proving popular.

It is also waiting for its licence to have tables outside and an alcohol licence, which Jenny said would allow them to serve alcoholic slushies.

As well as a large range of bubble tea flavours, Blue Sea &Bubbles sells Portuguese cakes, delivered fresh from a specialist Portuguese bakery in London every day, including Pastel de Nata.

They also have a range of gluten-free and vegan items.

A new juicer is allowing them to do freshly squeezed orange juice. And they also sell ice creams, including custard tart ice cream.

Rotisserie chicken is sold every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. While there is a large range of sandwiches, including on Portuguese chorizo bread. The business collaborates with Dawnies bakery, which makes all the savoury pastries.

The business is dog-friendly, with step-free access and a disabled toilet.

Jenny said staff members Tia-Louise White and Le-Arne Price have been instrumental in getting the business up-and-running.