The Old Bakehouse Coffee Shop in Southport is enjoying providing a warm welcome to customers of all ages, with great coffee, a home-cooked breakfast, brunch and lunch – and a space to relax.
The venue, on the corner of Manchester Road and Zetland Street, is somewhere where there’s no need to rush.
There is a pile of books that adults can read, a display of children’s books, a selection of board games, and a lovely outside area where you can sit back and soak up the sunshine.
This attractive venue is the two-decades-long dream of owner Maz Langshaw, who wants it to be a real community hub for the area.
Maz runs the venue under the ‘My Mind Matters (Merseyside) CIC’ and wants The Old Bakehouse to be somewhere where people can call in for a chat and find a friendly welcome.
The coffee shop is also eager for people to come and join them as volunteers, where they would be fully barista trained and receive their certifications in L2 Food Hygiene and First Aid Training.
If the ‘front of house’ is not a preference, then Maz will soon be running a program of activities to get involved in.
Maz said: “A Coffee Shop has been a dream of mine for the past 20 years.
“It has been brilliant to see it opening here in Southport. I’m grateful to everyone for their support so far.
“I want The Old Bakehouse to be a real community hub, where people can come in and just chill and feel welcomed.
“You don’t need to be with someone, you can just call in. Everyone here is always welcome.
“People can come in and read books do crosswords, play board games, they can chat about anything.
We have free Wi-Fi for anyone who wants to come in and do some work.
“This is a very accessible space, and that is very important to me.
“We have a quiet indoor area, and a lovely outdoor space. We have an accessible toilet, which has baby changing facilities inside.
“I am in the process of securing a ramp for the front entrance of the coffee shop, which I hope to get sorted soon.
“We are looking to develop a Community Space and welcome ideas and support from residents and businesses who are able to offer their ideas and skills to help create a welcoming space for all to enjoy. Please drop into The Old Bakehouse on Monday (Bank Holiday) from 10am and let’s chat about what you would like this space to become.
“We offer superb coffee with Julius Meinl Coffee -Ciro from Julis Meinl has been very supportive, passing on his knowledge of everything Coffee, and he is helping me with barista training.
“We use local suppliers for our food ingredients, our pastries and our cakes. They include ‘We Grow Co., Kylies Cake Shop, Em’s Cakery, and Chris Stead at the Southport Meat Company.
“We cook everything here from scratch. It is all fresh. People love the food because it’s simple and it’s comforting.
“The Old Bakehouse is dog friendly. I am currently on my 22nd foster dog! My last one, Frankie, was adopted by a customer of ours. I love seeing people with their animals in The Old Bakehouse.
“Manchester Road is such a beautiful community to be part of. The other independent businesses around here are so friendly and supportive. We all help each other.
“This part of Manchester Road is like a hidden gem.
“Outside the shop, on the corner of Manchester Road and Zetland Street, I am trying to improve this dead area and make it into a community space. I want members of the community to let me know what they’d like to see in this space.
“It could host little artisan fairs; it could be a space for kids to go; it could be somewhere where musicians play. It’s been a dead space for a long time, a real grot spot, and it needs improving to benefit the people who live and work around here.
“I am keen to hear from any local businesses that may be able to help me to improve this space.”
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 onwards 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.
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