A disabled-friendly cafe is opening its doors for the first time in Stockport this morning.
The bakery-bistro is at Owl House on Great Underbank – and all of the profits will be supporting Shopmobility Stockport.
They provide scooters and wheelchairs for those who need help getting around in the borough.
The cafe will feature height-adjustable surfaces, table service and wider aisles to help those in wheelchairs use the facilities.
There will also be workshops held at the back of the premises, helping people learn craftwork or trades.
It’s hoped it will help people develop their ideas into businesses – with help on how to market them, create a website, and help with their tax and bookkeeping.
Keith Dalby-Oldham, director of MTSCIC – which is a not-for-profit community interest company supporting Shopmobility Stockport – says: “[The bakery-bisto will be] using fresh ingredients to provide salads, soups, smoothies, home made cakes, bistro-style snacks and much, much more, together with free-trade coffee and Twinings tea.
“We will have wider aisles and height-adjustable tables, together with table service, to help the disabled while also welcoming non-disabled customers.
“Whilst we hope to attract a wide cross-section of town centre visitors we also want to reach out to people who feel more isolated and lonely – people who find it difficult to be in more crowded places.
“We are also very allergen aware so, for example, will be providing gluten-free treats as well as catering for the other thirteen major intolerances.
“Vegetarians and vegans will also be welcome.”
They’re also working with Disability Stockport to offer extra space for their newly created Wellbeing Centre.