Tanya Birch is using her café Tanya's Kitchen in Greywell Shopping Centre, which opened in 2020 just before lockdown, as a venue to host charity events to raise money for charity Young Lives vs Cancer.
Tanya, who grew up in Leigh Park, has arranged three events so far in which characters such as Olaf from Frozen, and Bumblebee from The Transformers, have come into the café. She has also held raffles with the proceeds going to charity.
Tanya's Kitchen owner Tanya Birch with manager, Elaine Bettam
Not only does Tanya hold events to raise money for charity, but she also allows support groups to hold meetings in her café. Since being open, she has allowed mental health groups to host sessions in the café, as well as a group for parents who have children with special needs.
Tanya, who lives in Cosham, said: ‘We’ve tried to make the café a friendly place where people come as if they’re having coffee with a friend. It’s a homely place where you can come down, have a chat and be comfortable.’
Tanya, who works in the café alongside Elaine Bettam, also prides herself on making all the food fresh daily in the café and only using local produce. The menu includes a range of options such as breakfast, kids meals, afternoon tea and a variety of refreshments, including milkshakes.
Despite the first year of the business being ‘terrible’ in terms of trade due to lockdowns, Tanya hopes that she can begin rebuilding the strong community she had before the pandemic.
The 54-year-old said: ‘Out of the 18 months, we’ve only had 11 weeks of proper trade. We thought, like everyone, that when the restrictions are lifted everybody would be out and about but there not. It’s still quite quiet compared to before Covid hit.’
The next event to be held at the café, which is open every day except Sundays, is a Princess Tea Party on Saturday, September 4. This will involve activities such as wand making and afternoon tea, with the opportunity to take pictures with the princesses.
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