Meet the New Owners of Cigno

In conversation with Anne and Gemma, over coffee at Cigno

There is a little coffee shop tucked away on Swan Island in Burntwood, and if you have not been in for a while, you might not know it has a new chapter. So I pulled up a chair at Cigno, ordered a coffee, and sat down with Anne and Gemma to hear the story in their own words.

The place has that easy, unhurried feel the moment you walk in. There are familiar faces at the tables, the smell of fresh coffee and breakfast, and two owners who clearly love what they do. What follows is our conversation, in their own words, from why they took Cigno on to what they have planned next.

Pour yourself a brew and settle in.

Cigno coffee shop and garden on Swan Island, Burntwood — You will find Cigno tucked away on Swan Island in Burntwood, with a sunny garden out front.

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Meet Anne and Gemma

BBBefore we get into the coffee, let’s start with the two people behind the counter. Would you introduce yourselves and tell everyone a little about who you are?

We’re Anne and Gemma, and we’re the proud owners of Cigno. We have had lots of varied experience across hospitality and have always shared a love of good food, good coffee and bringing people together. We genuinely enjoy creating places where people feel comfortable, whether they’re catching up with friends over brunch, popping in for their morning coffee or celebrating a special occasion.

Anne actually grew up in Burntwood, and her family home is still here, so Cigno really does feel like home. There’s every chance you’ll bump into one of her family members enjoying a coffee or breakfast! For us, being part of the community isn’t just something we talk about, it’s something we live every day.

BBAh, so you’re properly local then, and it must be lovely bumping into familiar faces in your everyday life too. So when did you officially take over Cigno?

We officially took over Cigno in August 2025, and it’s been an incredible journey ever since. It’s gone so quickly, but we’ve loved every minute of getting to know our customers and becoming part of such a supportive community.

BBNot quite a year yet, then, and clearly already flying by. What was it that made you want to take Cigno on in the first place?

From the moment we first visited, we could see what a special place Cigno already was. It had a fantastic reputation, lovely regular customers and a real sense of community. We didn’t want to change what people loved, we wanted to build on it. We saw the opportunity to add our own ideas while keeping everything that made Cigno feel like Cigno.

BBYou mention that first visit, so this wasn’t a place you were discovering cold. Were you already familiar with the café before taking it over?

Yes, we’d both visited before taking it on and knew exactly why it was so well loved. That actually made the decision a little easier because we already understood what people valued about the coffee shop and wanted to make sure we protected that.

BBAnd having sat on both sides of the counter now, what do you think it is that makes Cigno special?

Without a doubt, it’s the people. Of course we’re passionate about great coffee and fresh food, but it’s the customers who make Cigno what it is. We have people who visit several times a week, friends who meet here every Friday, families celebrating birthdays and new customers who very quickly become regulars. There’s something really lovely about walking in and seeing familiar faces.

Without a doubt, it’s the people. It’s the customers who make Cigno what it is.

Anne and Gemma, Cigno

The team at Cigno coffee shop, Burntwood — The team behind the counter at Cigno.

BBThose regulars are clearly the heartbeat of the place. Cigno already has a strong local following, so how important is it to you to keep that familiar feel?

It’s probably one of the most important things to us. We never wanted people to feel like they’d lost “their café”. If anything, we’ve tried to continue that welcoming feeling, while introducing new ideas gradually. We love hearing customers say it still feels like Cigno, just with a few exciting surprises.

BBProtecting that feel while making it your own sounds like a real balancing act. What have the first few weeks and months actually been like since taking over?

Busy! There’s definitely been a lot of learning, plenty of long days and the occasional challenge, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. Seeing customers come back week after week, recommending us to friends and supporting our new ideas has made all the hard work worthwhile.

BBIt sounds like the customers have carried you through. How have they responded to the changes so far?

Honestly, we’ve been overwhelmed by how supportive everyone has been. People have embraced the menu changes, our themed evenings and all the little touches we’ve introduced. We’ve had so many lovely conversations with customers who’ve told us they’re enjoying watching Cigno evolve, and that means a lot.

BBSpeaking of the people who built that following, I have to ask about the previous owners. Are Matt and Gemma still involved in any way, or was there a handover period?

There was a handover period, which really helped us settle in, and we’re incredibly grateful to Matt and Gemma for everything they did to make the transition as smooth as possible. They’re no longer involved in running the coffee shop, but they still pop in to visit, which we absolutely love. Over the last year we’ve become good friends, and it’s always nice seeing them enjoying Cigno from the other side of the counter. We think they’d agree it’s still very much the coffee shop they created, just with our own personality added to it.

BBThat says a lot that they still come back as customers. For anyone who has been away a while, what are some of the things regular customers will still recognise and enjoy?

They’ll still find the warm welcome, great coffee, great food, cakes and the relaxed atmosphere they’ve always enjoyed. We’ve kept a lot of what people loved while gradually introducing our own dishes and ideas. It’s all about finding that balance.

Brunch at Cigno coffee shop, Burntwood — Breakfast and brunch are at the heart of what Cigno does.

BBAnd on the flip side of keeping the classics, what’s new? Any new dishes, drinks, specials or menu changes people should know about?

Definitely! One thing we love is keeping the menu fresh. Alongside our regular menu, we introduce seasonal specials that change throughout the year, as well as new drinks and dishes inspired by the seasons. We love seeing customers come in asking, “What’s new this month?”

Fresh food and drink at Cigno, Burntwood — Fresh food, seasonal specials and a fully licensed bar.

BBWith all that changing through the seasons, people can get nervous about losing their usual order. Are there any customer favourites that are staying on the menu?

Absolutely. We know people have their favourites, and we wouldn’t dream of taking those away! The classics are still here, but we’ve also added plenty of new signature dishes for people who like trying something different.

BBYou clearly have plenty bubbling away. Are there any new ideas or plans you’re especially excited to introduce?

Far too many! One of the things we’re most excited about is continuing to grow our Supper Club evenings. They’ve become incredibly popular already and are such a lovely way to bring people together, with themed menus that are completely different each month. We’re also looking forward to introducing more seasonal events, collaborations with other local businesses and finding new ways to make every visit feel a little bit different. We communicate everything through our socials so that would be the best place to keep up with our plans.

We love seeing customers come in asking, “What’s new this month?”

Anne and Gemma, Cigno

BBWith all these new ideas, some people might wonder if the everyday staples are changing too. Will you be continuing with the breakfasts, lunches, cakes, coffees and diner-style food?

Definitely. Breakfast and brunch are at the heart of what we do, alongside our delicious coffee. You’ll still find all the favourites, but with plenty of seasonal twists throughout the year.

BBYou touched on Supper Clubs and themed evenings, so it sounds like Cigno is becoming more than just a daytime spot. Are you planning more events, themed evenings, seasonal menus or community activities?

Yes, and that’s something we’re really passionate about. We want Cigno to be somewhere people can enjoy all year round, not just during the day. From our monthly Supper Clubs to themed evenings, seasonal menus and collaborations with local businesses, we’re always thinking about what’s next. If we can give people a reason to come back and create a few memories along the way, we’ve done our job.

Alfresco dining in the sunny garden at Cigno, Burntwood — Alfresco dining in the sunny garden.

BBAll of that comes back to how a place makes you feel. What kind of atmosphere do you want people to experience when they visit Cigno?

We want people to feel relaxed from the moment they walk through the door. Whether you’re staying for ten minutes or two hours, we want you to feel looked after. Somewhere you can enjoy great food, great coffee and leave feeling happier than when you arrived.

BBAnd that sense of belonging clearly extends beyond the four walls. How important is it to you to support the local Burntwood community?

It’s incredibly important. Burntwood has always been home for Anne, and because her family are still local, supporting the community feels very personal. We’re proud to work with local businesses, support local events wherever we can and create a space where everyone feels welcome. We hope Cigno is somewhere people are proud to have in Burntwood.

Cigno supporting the Stephen Sutton Ride Out — Getting behind local causes, including the Stephen Sutton Ride Out.

BBLet’s send a little invitation out then. What would you say to people who haven’t visited Cigno for a while?

Come and see us! You’ll still recognise everything you loved about Cigno, but you’ll also discover lots of new dishes, seasonal specials and exciting events. We’d love to welcome you back and show you what we’ve been working on.

BBAnd for anyone who has never been through the door at all, what would you say to them?

We’d simply say, come in and say hello to us. Whether you’re stopping by for your first coffee, meeting friends for brunch, joining us for one of our evening events, grabbing a coffee after the school run, or getting a coffee to take on your morning walk, you’ll always receive a warm welcome. We genuinely love what we do, and we hope you’ll feel that from the moment you walk through the door.

Find Cigno

BBLovely. Before I finish my coffee, where can people find you, when are you open, and how can they book or get in touch?

You’ll find us in our little coffee shop tucked away on Swan Island in Burntwood. We’re open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am until 4pm, with our kitchen serving until 3:30pm. You can book a table by giving us a call, or popping in to see us. Whether you’re a regular or it’s your first visit, we’ll always do our best to make you feel right at home.

The easiest way to keep up with events and menus is to follow Cigno on social media: Instagram @cigno_by_toast_social and Facebook @lovecigno.

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Thank you to Anne and Gemma for the coffee and the conversation. If you are in Burntwood, go and say hello. You will find them on Swan Island, Tuesday to Saturday.