A COMMUNITY café has been launched on the grounds of a church as part of a vision to create a “hub” for residents.
The Mount Garden has been opened outside the church on Traverse Street in Fingerpost.
The outside area on the church grounds at The Mount has been transformed to include the container cafe, external seating, and a stage area.
The launch of The Mount Garden
“It is open for lots of different community-based things,” said Reverend Tim Coates, of The Mount, a community-focused Anglican Church (historically known as Holy Trinity).
“We are not in it to make lots of money, we’re doing it as a community hub and a centre point.
“All profits go back into the Mount’s work in the community or to The Mount Garden.
“When we first got to the church that land was the old vicarage that had been knocked down. We are able to help those people who were maybe using that space for the wrong reasons, so they can use it for the right reasons, so we can support them.”
The launch of The Mount Garden
The café sells Two Brothers coffee and also works with St Helens-based Flourist Bakery, selling confectionaries including cakes and homemade pancakes.
Tim says there is also a “bigger vision” for the facility for it to be used as an “events space”.
“We’re hoping we can do food festivals, and we’d love to be able to do a Christmas Lights switch-on,” he added.
“It is for the people of St Helens, and particularly Fingerpost.”
The launch of The Mount Garden
The Mount Garden café enjoyed a successful launch with around 300 people in attendance.
Tim hopes the facility can help have a positive impact for the people in the community and hopes it can form part of a wider improvement in the area.
The launch of The Mount Garden
“The aim is for people to see the area of Fingerpost differently, and to see the shops down the street filled with independent businesses,” he said.
The launch of The Mount Garden
“Our dream is going off the Baltic (Triangle) area of Liverpool model.
“Fingerpost has so much potential, and hopefully over the next year people are going to see how the Mount Garden is used and for the community.”
The launch of The Mount Garden
The Mount Garden is open 8am to 4.30pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and is run by manager Kirsty Jamali and a team of volunteers.
Visit The Mount Facebook page.
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