Local café Twenty Sixteen Coffee and Kitchen in Oxton Village wins prestigious Good Food Award

TWENTY Sixteen Coffee and Kitchen in Oxton Village, Wirral, are celebrating their success as winners of a prestigious Good Food Award for 2024-25! The Good Food Awards, established in 2002, celebrate great food and service, and aim to recognise independent businesses who are striving for culinary excellence. Winners are decided by customer feedback, nominations and votes alongside online reviews and food hygiene scores. Twenty Sixteen Coffee and Kitchen is the only café on the Wirral to be awarded with a Good Food Award for 2024/25.

Helen Jones, owner of Twenty Sixteen Coffee and Kitchen, said:- "We are delighted to receive such a reputable award. An award voted by our customers is always extra special, as it means we are doing something right. We have a dedicated and loyal team who take immense pride in what we do, and we would like to thank every single team member for all their hard work, and thank all our customers who nominated us, voted for us, and gave us excellent reviews. We are extremely grateful."

The family-friendly and dog-friendly café is open 7 days per week, serving an all day menu consisting of breakfast, brunch, and lunch items. Dishes include:- pastas, burgers, Full English, waffles, loaded fries, sandwiches and much more. There are many gluten-free alternatives and vegetarian options on our menu, and we have a separate vegan menu also. Twenty Sixteen Coffee and Kitchen are also available for private hire, hosting evening functions and offering private dining for special occasions.

Preferring to utilise other small local businesses as suppliers wherever possible, Twenty Sixteen Coffee and Kitchen use local bakers The Cookery Nook and The Bread Lady to supply a delicious range of cakes and bakes. Appleby's Farm in Greasby supply their eggs, and Birkenhead independent roasters Adams and Russell provide the coffee.

Chris Jones, owner and chef, has been a chef for over 20 years and has worked as Head Chef and Executive Chef at some of the best restaurants and hotels across Merseyside and Cheshire. Chris always dreamed of opening his own café, and when the opportunity arose to open a café in his own Village, it was an opportunity too good to be missed.

Chris said:- "Our ethos is to offer fresh, homemade food, using quality ingredients, at an affordable price, in a relaxed and cosy atmosphere. We have been open just over 2 years now and we have had fantastic support from our local community. We have so many returning and regular customers, which is a real compliment, and it is great to get to know them. Winning this award makes all the hard work and sleepless nights worthwhile and we would like to thank the entire team for working so hard and a huge thank you to everyone who voted for us. It really means a lot."

Twenty Sixteen Coffee and Kitchen was also the winner of Wirral Globe's Best for Breakfast competition in 2023, and they were shortlisted for Wirral Globe's Best Café or Coffee Shop in 2024.

Watchcraft opens in Wayfarers Arcade in Southport for people with time on their hands

AN experienced watch repair specialist has opened a shop inside Wayfarers Shopping Arcade in Southport for people with time on their hands. Watchcraft is the latest addition to the beautiful 126 year old Victorian arcade, on Lord Street, after relocating from Beales department store nearby.  The business also provides other services including:- jewellery repairs, and also offers trophies and awards, with additional shops in Burscough and Ellesmere Port.

Watchcraft owner Michael Hall said:- "We were based inside Beales department store for the past 18 months before it shut down recently. I have been in Beales for many years on and off. It was a shame when it closed. We were doing very well there. But we are delighted to have opened inside Wayfarers Shopping Arcade. With over 40 years' experience in the watch and jewellery trade, and with knowledge of repairing all brands, I decided to set up Watchcraft. Work is completed in our own workshop, and all work is guaranteed. We provide watch repairs, fix watch straps and watch glasses, and sell watch batteries. With watches, there is very little that we can't do! People are welcome to call in and see our new range of watches, which includes:- a selection of children's time tutor watches. We provide a jewellery repair service. I work alongside my wife, Caroline, we make a great team. Caroline manages the trophies and awards side of our business. If you need trophies, or trophy engraving, then that is something we can help customers with. We do them for customers including:- Primary Schools, high Schools, colleges, sports clubs and others. We couldn't be in a better location than Wayfarers Shopping Arcade. It's right in the centre of Lord Street, so it is really convenient for anyone who wants to call in and chat with us. When the opportunity came up to move into Wayfarers, we jumped at it. We have 3 shops in all; our other 2 are in Burscough and Ellesmere Port so it is great to be here too. Word is spreading now among other jewellers in Southport and among local people that we are here, and what we can offer. We get lots of recommendations from customers which is lovely. What we do is pretty specialised. Watchcraft is the only time served watchmaker in the local area."

Watcharft is among a number of new businesses which have opened inside Wayfarers Shopping Arcade in recent months. They include:- Gallery More, Design By Gavriela, Lily May, Lah de Dah, Nina's Cigars, The Engine Room, Ruthie Illustrations, Southport Bazaar, Yours Sincerely and Brandwall, adding to others already established including:- The Master Barber's, Medusa Gems, The Hair Lounge, Pudding and Pie, LM Beauty, David Booth Gallery, ARTartisans and Ideal Accessories.

Michael Hall said:- "Footfall inside the arcade has been good since we have been here, and things are heading the right way with other new local independent businesses opening. We're looking forward to all the events coming up such as:- the Craft and Gift Fair, Under Milk Wood and Christmas. I like the idea of it being used as a vibrant entertainment space. This is such a wonderful building. I love it. Wayfarers Shopping Arcade should be a real focal point for Southport."