AN 11-year dream to run a café has become a reality for the new manager of a popular Uppermill teashop.
CHANGEOVER: New manager Michele with staff Leah Thomas, Abby Smith, Sarah Cheetham and Pat Broadman say goodbye to Amy, Cara and Neil
Michele Turrell has taken over the Little Shop Café on the High Street as owners of four-and-a-half years Amy and Neil Hamilton step aside to concentrate on family commitments.
And with a fresh coat of paint, new counters and equipment, a uniform for the staff and an extended menu, Michele is ready to launch into her long-awaited role.
“A long time ago I ran a café in a theatre but having my own café has always been something I wanted to do. I am really looking forward to it,” she admitted.
“I lost my partner in November last year and decided I didn’t want to go back to working in an office. I wanted to do something for myself.”
Friend Caren Houseman, from Mossley, who is joining Michele’s staff, added: “We’ve been planning it for a long time – about 11 years!”
Michele, who commutes from Sale, has launched a menu of different daily lunches, including vegetarian options, for customers to enjoy and she is also applying for an alcohol license.
She has brought in the café’s first ever uniform, but the staff themselves have not changed – much to the delight of Pat Broadman in her 12th year there.
And despite this being Michele’s first venture, she has already impressed former owners Neil, a plumber, and Amy, who works at Diggle School, parents to Cara, 18 months.
Neil said: “Michele’s doing brilliantly already and we know she will do very well.
“We just want to say thank you to everybody who has supported us. All the staff and the customers have always been wonderful.
“We’ve enjoyed working together here and seeing everyone come in as they are always so friendly.”
The Little Shop Café is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am-5pm and 10am-4pm on Sundays, with food served all day.
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