Northcote unveils plans for Café Northcote

Northcote Leisure Group have announced a new brand concept, Café Northcote, which will open early June in Blackburn town centre.

Nigel Haworth, alongside business partner Craig Bancroft, are both delighted to be opening Café Northcote at The Cathedral which will be housed in the new refectory space at Cathedral Court, an £8.5m Cathedral Court Building.

Nigel said: “We are delighted to finally be working in partnership with Lancashire’s cathedral as part of this exciting development it gives us the platform to launch our brand new vibrant café concept, championing local produce and Blackburn’s heritage, we cant wait to be part of bringing Cathedral Court to life.”

The 78-cover café with outside space is expected to create approximately 15 jobs and 2 apprentice posts. Senior Northcote Manager, Claire Arnold and Senior Chef, Dave Lyons will oversee the operation, with the appointment of Ben King as General Manager and Andy McCarthy as Head Chef. In addition, a partnership with Blackburn College is planned for work placements and training opportunities.

The new seven-day operation will serve breakfast, lunch, coffees, teas, cakes and hot drinks and lunches to go. It will open initially from 7.30am until 5pm weekdays, Saturday 8.00am to 6.00pm and Sunday 10.30am to 4.30pm

The interior has been designed by Katherine Haworth Interiors in conjunction with Cooper8 Consultancy and aims to use sustainable materials with local trade people. The colour scheme, in honey and orange tones, together with a three-dimensional honeycomb wall design behind the service counters, will reflect the town’s economic history through its symbol, the bee. The Blackburn Coat of Arms shows three bees in flight, the bee is an emblem of skill, perseverance and industry. The coat of arms depicts the rich heritage of the textile industry and these together form the base of the design concept.