Coffee shop opening proof that pubs are outstripped
RUNCORN’S latest coffee shop has opened as the number of places to buy hot drinks continues to climb in the borough.
Perky Grinders is also the most recent occupant to move in at the retail park on Jack Search Way by Millbank Linnets Stadium.
It now sits between a branches of Vets4Pets and Subway sandwiches.
Halton has experienced a flurry of coffee shops opening in recent years with statistics indicating a boom.
It is now eight years since Costa opened a branch at Widnes Shopping Park but recent franchise openings in Runcorn have been particularly prolific, including at Thomas Jones Retail Park, nearby on Bridgewater Expressway, at Runcorn Shopping City and on Church Street.
There are also a sprinkling of independents around the borough, and there have been some closures.
But overall according to the Office For National Statistics, the number of unlicensed restaurants and cafes – meaning they do not serve alcohol – in Halton has boomed from 10 a decade ago to 35 in 2018.
During that time, the size of the workforce employed in the sector across the ● Perky Grinders: a new coffee shop on Jack Search Way retail park the borough of Halton has doubled from some 300 workers to 600.
Unlicensed restaurants and cafes now outnumber those with licences to sell alcohol, having overtaken the licensed trade which has only increased from 20 to 25 outlets since 2008.
The number of takeaways and food stands in Halton has also increased, from 35 in 2008 to 70 in 2018. ●
THE home of Halton Housing has scooped a top interior design accolade at an award ceremony.
Waterfront Point has been awarded the Small Commercial Interiors Project Of The Year prize at the Mixology North Awards, in Manchester earlier this month.
Mixology North Awards was created for the ‘dynamic and innovative interior design community’ and is ‘the most prestigious and highly anticipated award ceremony in the interior design calendar.’
This is the second award won by Waterfront Point this year.
In May it won the Corporate Workplace Award For The North Of England at the British Council Of Offices UK Awards. The award recognises Waterfront Point as a ‘vibrant’ workplace along with the strong emphasis on the health and wellbeing of employees and collaborative working.
The interior of Waterfront Point was designed by ingo interiors and was recognised by an independent panel of industry professionals for implementing the highest standards of design.
Based in Liverpool, Ingo Interiors Ltd is a commercial interior design consultancy service who work for a variety of clients on projects.
Ingo interiors worked with Halton Housing to change the working environment and to have all staff on one site.
Founder of Ingo Interiors Jenny Hill said: “I am absolutely thrilled to win this award. I want to dedicate it to all the staff at Halton Housing for providing me with such an amazing project to be part of.
“My whole working life I have dreamt of winning a Mixology Interiors award and now it has come true.”
Nick Atkin, Halton Housing Group’s chief executive, said: “This is a fantastic result for both Halton Housing and ingo interiors. Their magical touch was the inspiration behind making Waterfront Point the amazing workspace become.”
Since opening Waterfront Point, there has been a demand for reference visits, consultation and interest in Halton’s innovative approach, culture and office space.
In response to this demand, Halton Housing has launched its first Future Of Work taster sessions.
The first of these are being held on Tuesday, February 5, and will offer attendees the opportunity to hear first-hand how Halton Housing transformed the way its colleagues work and deliver services to its customers.
The session will also include a tour of Waterfront Point showcasing the culture and commitment to innovation, and offering a glimpse into the ‘workplace of the future.’
For further information and details on how to book visit EventBrite.
To find out more about ingo interiors visit www.ingointeriors.co.uk it has