Profile Sally Saunders-Makings Sally was born in Walthamstow, London at the beginning of the ‘60s. The youngest of three daughters, her father was a wholesaler dealing in car accessories. She did exceptionally well at school and was considering career possibilities when her father asked her to help him out on one of his market stalls. The prospect of earning some money was naturally attractive and at the same time she was assisting her father so she went to work on the market in the Dalston area and remained there for 10 years. For a long time, she regretted not having done further education but now realises that the experience has been of great value. Steven Saunders was a chef at The White Hart at Great Yeldon when Sally met him and three weeks later they were negotiating the purchase of the Pink Geranium from Ellen Shepperson. Sally told me that the moment she went up the drive she knew that she had to have the PG, she just loved it. It was a huge step to take on a famous restaurant at the age of 26 but it was a strong partnership based on a mutual love of good food. With Steven’s expertise in the kitchen and Sally’s business sense they built on the fine reputation Ellen had established. Initially they lived above the restaurant but after the birth of Serena in 1988 they moved to Millside cottage in Station Road and 2 ½ years later Stefanie was born. Stefanie was only 4 weeks old when a disastrous fire broke out at the PG – we remember it well, living next door as we do! All the customers took refuge in our sittingroom – what a night! However, with great grit and determination they dusted themselves down and three weeks later they opened a pop up restaurant at Millside. They were immensely touched by the support they got from local people who continued to dine with them in the cramped quarters of the cottage. Sally gave her kitchen over to the chefs and somehow they managed whilst the Pink Geranium was rebuilt. Those were the good times.
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www.melbourncambridge.co.uk
In 1996 Steven left her to live in London but when he spotted Sheene Mill on the market he approached Sally and suggested they got back together and buy the restaurant/ hotel in partnership. Making a new start, they moved to Bassingbourn, became the owners of Sheene Mill and put a manager in to run the PG. However, things did not work out between them and in 2004 Sally and Steven were divorced and Sally opened Esse Retail and Therapy. (pronounced, incidentally ‘S’ after the initials of their names!) Sheene Mill was still owned by Sally and Steven but was leased to tenants. Stefanie, who had trained as a beauty therapist, joined her mother in Esse. Serena worked part time at Sheene Mill, then in hotel management at the University and finally went into recruitment but eventually she too came to work at Esse, taking over the Sunday slot and making it very profitable. Sally was becoming more and more unhappy about the way Sheene Mill was being run and eventually the tenants were removed. Serena needed an outlet for her entrepreneurial skills so it was decided that she should take over management of the restaurant. At that point Steven decided he wanted to leave the partnership and so Ollie bought him out. I haven’t mentioned Ollie! In February 2006 Sally sent out her monthly newsletter listing Valentine’s Day events and suggested that singletons, such as herself, should get together at Esse for a party. A client who knew Ollie Makings decided to do a bit of matchmaking and forwarded the email to him – he came along to the party and Bingo! A blind date with a happy ending. Oliver has a printing business in Thetford specialising in music books and pharmaceutical printing – quite a niche market. It was he who was the driving force behind the impressive new house which greets you as you come into Melbourn on Station Road. He saw the potential of the site and the old Melbourn Laundry was demolished (no loss as it was always an ugly building with only one right angle!). Ollie oversaw every detail of the construction and it certainly is a beautiful house. The pair moved in on the morning of Christmas Day and entertained the family to lunch!
