ONE of St Helens' proudest and most successful businesses is hosting its first coffee morning to help raise funds for a cancer charity.

Furnishing giant Ena Shaw family-run company, established in St Helens in 1932, is among the UK’s leading manufacturer of curtains.

The coffee morning will take place on Friday, September 27 at the company’s factory shop in Lea Green, with tea, coffee and cakes available to visitors and all proceeds going to Macmillan.

Managing director Richard Potter said: “We are proud to host a coffee morning on behalf of Macmillan, and we are hoping that customers past and present, as well as businesses from Lea Green will join us to help raise money.

St Helens Star:

Ena Shaw managing director Richard Potter

“It is the first time we have held a coffee morning, and we are looking forward to welcoming people with a warm drink and a warm smile.”

As well as its manufacturing centre in Lea Green, Ena Shaw are known to St Helens residents because of their Duke Street store, Ena Shaw Home.

Their original store was opened by machinist Ena Shaw in 1932 on Corporation Street, where she made loose covers and curtains with fabrics that her customers supplied themselves.

Ena continued throughout the Second World War, selling mainly blackout curtains in exchange for ration coupons.

In recent years the company hit the headlines after making curtains for accommodation at London 2012's Olympic Village.

The company employs 165 people across St Helens.

Richard added: “Ena Shaw is steeped in local history, and we are proud that our family run business continues to provide the best design, service and aftercare to the UK's soft furnishings market.

“We want to do our bit to ensure those in our community who are facing difficult times can continue to get the help and support offered by Macmillan.”

The coffee morning takes place on September 27, from 10am at Ena Shaw Factory Shop, Eurolink, St Helens, WA9 4QF.