A Little Gem in Chorley

As you walk towards the Interchange on Clifford Street, you will come across Woodchats Coffee Shop where you will find a warm and friendly welcome by Ruth Phillips and her team.

Woodchats opened it’s welcoming doors in June 2012 by Ruth Phillips. Ruth was previously a National Marketing Director for a Professional Services Training Provider.

She says “I got fed up of the 70+ hour weeks and decided to have a break. I decided to take a punt on being my own boss, I love coffee, I love baking (and cooking), I love people and I knew how to manage a business, so set about finding the perfect premises for a coffee shop. I live in Chorley so it’s an ideal commute. Fi, my manager has been with me from the start, she started when she was at college on a part time basis. She has worked full time with me since she graduated, and she is now part of our family. Whilst the shop is owned by myself, my parents and nieces do and have played a significant part. My Mum and Dad help out and are known and loved by our regulars. My middle niece worked for me from the age of 14 to 22 and my youngest niece, Hannah, has just finished school and works for us every Saturday.

We’re a community hub and support various local charities -

Rosemere Cancer Foundation,

Derian House and Inspire Youth Zone. Each month 5p from every hot drink and coffee sold is donated. We also host Green Living Chorley Meetings and act as a ’swap shop’ for GLC members to exchange no longer needed items. As a business we aim to be as sustainable as possible and choose suppliers that have the same thoughts as us.

We also run a suspended coffee scheme with Chorley Help the Homeless. Our customers can purchase a virtual coffee, we give vouchers to Chorley Help the Homeless and they give these to their clients to exchange for a free coffee or tea.

All our cakes, cookies, and sweet things are homemade and baked by us on the premises. They contain no preservatives and are made using pure butter and free range eggs to ensure a great taste.

All our soups are homemade by us. They are all beautifully thick. All are vegetarian and gluten free. We have a wide choice to suit all dietary requirements. We source from local suppliers wherever possible and we make all our own jams and chutneys.

Our products are also available to be ordered for wedding favours - ’spread the love’ and we also offer a catering service - whether you’re planning for a small or a large event, we will help make it memorable and beautiful.

We have a range of retail items which align with coffee and food and nature - The Bee Centre Honey, Mama Shar’s Caribbean spices, Kargi Bay’s wonderful Turkish ceramics, Bees Country Kitchen Seasoning, flavoured oils and recipe mixes etc.

We love meeting new customers and welcoming in our regulars. I feel so privileged to come to work and be in my happy place. We have the best team, we are colleagues, but also friends and I think that is felt by everyone who chooses to visit us.”

Chorley Interchange, Clifford Street, Chorley, Lancashire PR7 1AQ N 01257 230996 FP woodchats I @woodchatscoffeeshop www.woodchats.co.uk