Former teacher makes dream a reality by opening new cafe The Courtyard

Mum-of-two Catherine Owens from Windle, had been a drama teacher for 20 years.

Catherine, second from left, and some of the staff at The Courtyard

However, after seeing the former newsagents on City Road going up for sale during the Covid-19 pandemic, she decided to take a leap of faith and put in an offer to turn the venue into a café.

It had long been her dream to open a coffee venue at the site, and after hearing about the vision, the former owners accepted her offer, and The Courtyard was born.

The venue, which features indoor and outdoor seating, offers a selection of drinks, coffees, all day breakfasts, lunches and more with plush interiors and a relaxing courtyard – hence the name – perfect for sunny days.

Speaking to the Star, Catherine said: “I always say life isn’t a dress rehearsal, you just have to live it, and with that in mind I left a career I loved and had for 20 years, which was very secure for this and it’s my dream.

“I always walked past and thought how lovely would that be as a coffee shop, so when I saw it was up for sale I jumped at it, and with my mum Christine’s help we’ve been able to make it happen.

“It had been a newsagents with the same family for three generations, so they were happy for us to have it because we are a family business too and hope to give something nice back to the community and offer a place for people to relax and come together.

One of the many delicious panini's on offer at the venue

“It’s nice to know we are bringing more life to the area too.”

The Courtyard logo features a bench – which has a special place in Catherine’s heart as a tribute to her late father.

She said: “My dad Jim Stirrup died five years ago, but whenever we went anywhere, he’d find a bench - and an ice cream if he could – and watch the world go by, and that’s what we hope to offer here, a nice place where people can just relax, have something to eat and drink and have that comforting feeling.

“I know he’d love what we’ve done here.”

The venue has created 10 jobs so far and could look to expand the offerings in the future to include ice creams and more.

Catherine added: “I’d really like to thank my husband Paul, mum Christine and Widnes Wildlife Gardener for their help in making this happen, I can’t believe it really, we’ve only been open since May and we already have return customers.

The menu

“It’s just like a dream really, and the feedback has been amazing, but I couldn’t have done it without them and the staff.”