Sometimes you just need a place where you can sit down and talk and where someone will listen.
Life these days can be hectic and fast-paced.
A new coffee shop in Southport is offering a space where you are encouraged not to rush. where people are welcome to pop in for a chat where they’ll always find a friendly face.
The Old Bakehouse has opened on the corner of Manchester Road and Zetland Street in Southport, offering home cooked breakfast, brunch and lunch, along with coffee, cakes and pastries.
It’s run by the ‘My Mind Matters (Merseyside) CIC founder and owned by Maz Langshaw.
It’s somewhere where everyone is welcome.
Maz had a career in banking but for the past 20 years has been determined to open her own coffee shop and combine it with a community hub. She knows what it’s like to struggle.
Maz said: “I am an alcoholic, recovering. I have battled with mental health challenges for much of my adult life. I’ve won and lost at various things along the way”.
“I reached 50 years of age and knowing things needed to change, spurred on my dream I thought ‘what I really want to do is open my own coffee shop, and support people in the local community’. Here I am!
“My banking background enables me to chat comfortably with people and hopefully answer some of the questions they may have or direct them to the right place for advice and support.
“I am not a counsellor, but I am a good listener. And I do know what it is like to be addicted; what it is like to face financial challenges, and how depression can take hold.
“People often think that addiction is about drink, or drugs, but there is so much more that people don’t talk about or feel they can’t talk about. It could be a gambling addiction, online shopping addiction or hoarding. There are many challenges people face.
“We are open every Tuesday to Sunday, and on Mondays it is a ‘My Mind Matters’ drop-in day. If there is anything concerning you, anything you’d like to chat with someone about, please drop in.
“I want to build links with other organisations in Southport to enable experts in their field to make use of The Old Bakehouse as a place to provide valuable advice and support to the local community, in a non-clinical environment.
“I am keen to build that up over time and would love to connect with anyone.”
“I’d love to host groups in here too, whether it’s book clubs, knit and natter, or painting, or anything else.”
● The Old Bakehouse Coffee Shop is at 95 Zetland Street, Southport PR9 9DL. Call 01704 335494 or email: hellotheoldbakehousesouthport@outlook.com
● It is open 8.30am – 4pm Tuesday – Saturday; 9.30am – 5pm on Sunday; and 10am on Monday for the My Mind Matters CIC drop-in.
● If anyone is interested in volunteering at The Old Bakehouse, please call Maz on 01704 335494.Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Do you need advertising, PR or media support? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrownn@gmail.com
