Anne brews up a new venture

WHEN I was invited along to bottom Mossley to visit a new enterprise called The Flying Teapot, I really didn’t know what to expect . . .

So I was pleasantly surprised by the surroundings at the canalside cafe in the pleasant grounds of a former garden centre.

Opened by Anne Thatcher, from Greenfield, The Flying Teapot is a haven in the industrial estate that has formed around the old Woodend Mill and which is home to a variety of small enterprises, including lots of arty types.

Many are making the new cafe a daily calling point for breakfasts, lunches and snacks and Anne, who has invested around £10,000 to create the business, is delighted.

She said: “There has been a cafe here before, but there is still a big issue for me in people knowing I’m here.

“Lots of the lads from the surrounding businesses call for breakfasts and lunches and I’m really busy at these times, but I’m hoping to attract walkers, cyclists and dog owners, too.

“There is lots of space here to park bicycles and look after dogs and I’m sure that once people get to know about us business will pick up even more.

“I am happy to accommodate muddy boots and buggies.”

Offering a range of snacks, sandwiches hot and cold drinks, Anne, who was in the print industry for 25 years before returning to her first love catering, is assisted at busy periods by Cara Campbell, an aspiring young artist from Grotton with a studio in the adjacent mill.

Anne has plans to reopen sections of the garden centre next summer.