I LOVE the Damson Tree Café, Cheadle Hulme

If like me, you’ve ever dreamt about opening a café, tea room or coffee shop, then the Damson Tree Café – on Fountains Road, just near Hursthead school – is probably pretty much what those dreams looked like. Café, caterer and celebration (or every day) cake maker – the Damson Tree Café ticks every box. And then some.

The Damson Tree Café is a little different though – they also stock a fabulous range of quirky gifts, cards, artwork and home accessories – stuff you just won’t find anywhere else. A perennial favourite is the slap me on the bottom with a Woman’s Weekly’ print…

The Damson Tree Café could so easily be the setting for a contemporary chick-lit novel (with an edgy twist). Comfortable and quirky, with bags of character, Lucy and Jo have done an amazing job. This is a café with personality, not just another faceless coffee shop. Fountains Road hosts a thriving little row of local shops, the like of which is rarely seen these days. Being at the heart of the sought-after Hursthead estate, it’s a real hub of the community. Loved by the mums after school drop-off, young mums who may otherwise feel quite isolated, and lots of older people for whom popping out for a coffee and a teacake is a highlight of the day. There are books and magazines to sit and relax with, while younger customers will LOVE the dedicated play area. Their parents will appreciate the high chairs – and brilliant decoupaged higher PROPER chairs.

Whether alone or in groups, everyone loves the Damson Tree café and everyone’s welcome. Those who pop in on their own are made to feel as though they’re amongst friends, in a relaxed and easy atmosphere – Jo and Lucy know nearly everyone who comes through the door but even if not, they greet everyone like an old friend.

Of course, a café needs ambience and atmosphere (check) but also needs fantastic food – and the Damson Tree Café delivers on that score, too. Sweet or savoury – it’s all good. Really, REALLY good. From the everyday staples to ever-changing specials, it’s all genuinely home-made and locally-sourced. A testament to just how good is the demand for outside catering. Recent triumphs have included 900 canapes for Pownall Green’s fashion show and all the catering for a Bang & Olufsen product launch. That’s quite some testimonial. Lucy and Jo are just as happy and dedicated looking after smaller events, too. They can cater baby showers, Christenings, business lunches – even funerals, and will do so considerately.

It’s often thought that a café is only as good as its cake. Lucy’s cakes are truly delicious – but her celebration cakes are something else! Photo cakes are coming soon, but in the meantime, the girls work WITH the client from design to delivery. Damson Tree Café celebration cakes have been described as a ‘dream come true’…

Like many of our best local businesses, the Damson Tree Café is run by genuinely local people. Lucy’s an ex Hursthead and Cheadle Hulme High School girl, and Jo worked (and met her husband) at the Church Inn. Both still live nearby and love the area. The beauty of Cheadle Hulme, they say (and we agree) is that it’s small, but only 15 minutes away from ‘Town’ – and better still, only 5 or 10 minutes away from countryside! They love that the café, the Hursthead estate – and the wider Cheadle Hulme and Bramhall villages – really feel like home. They always see someone they know (don’t we all!) and would LOVE to see more independent shops, bars and restaurants. What they really, really want in Cheadle Hulme is a nice artisan bakery. Any takers?

As well as being friends, Lucy and Jo’s families have been heavily involved too – the café is like an extended family! It’s clear how much both Lucy and Jo love the Damson Tree Café. As the saying goes ‘do something you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life’! That’s definitely the philosophy here. You should visit the Damson Tree Café. You’ll love it too.

• Address:  66 Fountains Rd, SK8 7PY
• Phone: 07983 332609
• Twitter: @DamsonTreeCafe
• Facebook: The Damson Tree Cafe
• Instagram: @thedamsontreecafe

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