At Nub News we love to promote local businesses and are always keen to shout about any new and exciting things happening here in Biddulph!

And this was of course the case when we heard that a new café has just opened in Biddulph Grange Country Park's visitor centre.

We reported earlier this year how the town council was looking for tenants to give the visitor centre a new lease of life, and had invited applicants to put forward their plans for transforming the building.

That process is now complete and the visitor centre has indeed been transformed into a new café, which is called The Hideaway.

We spoke to Cath, who runs The Hideaway, about her work in getting it all set up and her plans for the café in the future.

She said: "I was one of the applicants who applied earlier in the year. [The town council] said they liked my ideas, vision and thoughts about what would work within the country park.

"I wanted a vision of people coming to the café, enjoying the country park, having a drink, something to eat or a Snugbury's ice cream. I've tried to use as many local ingredients as possible so far including the local butchers, bakery, crisp manufacturer and Snugbury's."

The café first opened on Saturday (28th August), and will currently be open only on weekends, except during the school holidays when it will also be open during the week. The opening hours are currently 10am - 4pm, although this will change when the clocks go back in October. The café is also dog friendly.

Cath explained how things are going so far and the selection of food and drinks that customers can enjoy at the café, saying: "I'm doing a bit of everything along with help from my husband, daughters and a friend. I've always fancied running a café and thought why not have a go!

"We are selling hot and cold drinks (proper coffee) sandwiches, toasties, cakes, tea cakes and Snugbury's ice cream. We've got a selection of 8 flavours including 2 vegan options.

"Hopefully the public will come because they know we will serve nice food and drinks in a lovely place and surroundings."

Discussing the work to get the café open over the last few months, she added: "The café took about two or three months altogether to get ready.

"Biddulph Town Council have invested a lot of time and money into it to get it ready. They took the building over in August 2020 however due to Covid it's taken longer to get it ready.

"Also, the friends of the Biddulph Grange group painted it externally. Without their input it wouldn't have been ready for the bank holiday weekend. Everyone wants it to work for the local community as it's been closed for a few years.

"I couldn't have done it without the help from Biddulph Town Council, and the Friends of Biddulph Grange. Also I really would have been stuck without the time and hard work given by my husband family and friends!"

Will you be trying out the new café? Feel free to let us know in the comments on social media!