A PASSIONATE barista says he feels like he is ‘coming home’ after opening his first coffee shop in Knutsford.
Mark Lee-Kilgariff launched his mobile coffee business, Tatton Perk, three-and-a-half years ago in a distinctive vintage orange van.
The dad-of-two opened his first little café on King Street car park on Monday (April 11) and will be unveiling his second coffee shop at Booth Park next Tuesday (April 19).
“It is very poignant to be back,” said Mark.
“It is the first time I’ve been able to sell coffee on a Monday for three years since the licensing issue with the van.
“It has been lovely. We have been really overwhelmed by all the positive comments. Loads of people have been coming in.
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"I will be in Knutsford seven days a week, it's like coming home."
Mark battled to save his business back in 2019 when his trading hours were severely restricted at the Moor.
“I think when someone tries to put you down, you come back fighting harder,” he said.
“That experience has motivated me to be where I am now.”
“I’ve got a fantastic team of eight now,” said Mark, who has won Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award for two years running.
“I have promoted three members of staff to be managers and taken on three extra people.”
The Moor Park coffee shop has a 70s-feel lounge.
“We have eight bar stools onto window seats where people can sit with laptops and an orange sofa,” said Mark.
“We have a six-foot serving window on the other side, facing King Street car park where we used to park the van.
“People can pull up, jump out and have coffee in their hand in a minute.
“It is the most convenient place to grab a coffee in Knutsford.”
The coffee shop will be open seven days a week from 8am to 4pm.
Mark added: “We have a licence so in the summer we will extend our hours doing martini cocktails and offering a shot of Baileys in hot chocolate.”
Painstaking attention to detail has always been Mark's top priority and he only serves Atkinsons speciality coffee beans from Lancaster.
"We always serve the best, fresh coffee we possibly can, everything is done to the highest level," he said.
"We also sell freshly roasted beans to customers to brew at home."
Local producers have been chosen to supply homemade snacks.
Cakes, brownies and rockie road made by Bowl & Whisk, Eccles cakes drizzled with orange oil by Williamson Bakery and cookies by Baking Bad bakery are among treats on offer.
Flourish Pantry in Northwich will be supplying a selection of sourdough toasties and salads for the coffee shop on Bruntwood Business Park, which will open from 8am to 3pm Monday to Friday.
The little orange van will now be refurbished before it sets off on the road again.
“We hope to do weddings, private functions and other events,” said Mark.
“It has been quite a journey but living in a town like Knutsford, there have been so many people willing to share ideas.
“I have pulled in a lot of support from the community.
“Our little coffee shop is a tribute to Knutsford.
“We will collect all our favourite pictures and frame them on the wall.”
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