Copyright manchestereveningnews
We love a long walk whatever the season, but there's something quite special about the crispness and colours that autumn brings. And there's one spot that does look particularly magical at this time of year and it's along the Bridgewater Canal at Worsley in Salford . It was there we ended up after walking the dog through Worsley Woods and decided to take a break at The Coffeestop, a picture-perfect vintage Piaggio Porter van selling pastries, pies and a whole lot more. The van, lovingly Christened Dolly, first opened in September 2023 as The Flowerstop and Coffeestop, a family-run business, owned by husband and wife Jonty and Georgia Bowyer, along with Jonty’s mum Julie. Join our Family WhatsApp group HERE Since then it's gone from strength to strength and attracts queues of customers wanting to sample the treats and grab one of the tables to soak up the relaxing surroundings. There's lots to choose from and we enjoyed a selection of savoury and sweet snacks, including a traditional pasty, a steak pie, some cookies and a delicious almond croissant. There's all kinds of treats on display in the glass cabinet, priced from around £2.65, with huge pistachio cruffins, school cake, shortbread and more. It was the creamy hot chocolate that really hit the spot though, lovingly decorated with cream, a Lotus Biscoff biscuit and a squidgy marshmallow pumpkin. You can get a tea for £2.70, speciality organic coffees from £3.30 and hot chocolates from £4.30. But while the food and flowers have people turning up in their droves, the business has also expanded into something even bigger. Right alongside Dolly is the Granary building in which the owners now have a studio. "It’s here that we create many different flower arrangements for weddings, funerals, and corporate clients, and it’s also where we hold meetings with potential wedding clients," said Jonty. "We also run workshops in the studio for the public, most recently pumpkin workshops, and in the next few weeks our luxury Christmas wreath workshops - we still have a few spaces left for those quick enough to book." He said that from the very beginning, the 'main focus' has been on product quality, adding: "Every single flower stem that arrives with us goes through a rigorous process to ensure only the very best make it to our customers. "Although we see ourselves as a luxury florist, we also think it’s important to make our flowers accessible for everyone. That’s why we’ve had a pick-your-own stems, no minimum spend option in place from the start, so if someone wants a single sunflower or a few sprigs of eucalyptus for a shower, they can." The Flowerstop and Coffeestop support a number of local events in the area, including the Bunny Trail and and Fairy Door Trail, which are always a big hit with families and visitors alike. The next one in the calendar is the upcoming Christmas lights switch-on, taking place at 6pm on Friday, November 28, when the business will be offering its usual festive treats, door wreaths, and Christmas arrangements. The free family event will feature a live singer performing festive songs and the arrival of Father Christmas on a canal boat, where children can meet him in person. A Festive Elf Trail then begins from December 1, adding even more seasonal fun for families. "Over the past six months, we’ve noticed a real shift in our customer demographic, and we now feel that The Flowerstop is more of a destination place rather than just a stop-off," said Jonty. "We want to embrace the local community and value every single one of our customers. "When you come to The Flowerstop, you don’t just come for a coffee or flowers, you come for a chat, a smile, or simply to enjoy the view. We also serve speciality organic coffee and locally baked treats from Dolly, creating a cosy spot for people enjoying walks along the Bridgewater Canal. "It’s been wonderful to see the local community - and plenty of walkers and cyclists - embrace us since opening, especially at this time of year, when the canal looks so beautiful." Its flowers can also be ordered online via the Flowerstop website, with delivery to Worsley and the surrounding areas.
