THE manager of a popular coffee and home shop has taken over the business to "keep the team together".

Launched in March 2023, Fika Coffee and Home was the second business opened by Debbie Makin following her success with the Willows womenswear shop on Newton-le-Willows' High Street.

Located just off Newton's thriving high street on Walmsley Street, Fika has been described as a hidden gem by many customers, with people often stumbling upon the coffee and home shop almost by accident.

With Debbie taking on yet another business venture recently, she decided to pass Fika onto someone else and manager Louise Carr took over the reins of the business last week.

With Fika providing a range of speciality coffees and homemade cakes, as well as soups, sandwiches, salads, and specials, Louise said she is determined to maintain what works at the Walmsley Street shop.

Fika, which is a Scandinavian term for coffee break with friends, provides an cosy, intimate setting for customers as well as a section dedicated to high quality home goods.

With Fika's home section following Debbie's eye for interior design, these products have included table sets, cushions, lamps, and house plants, with the team often revamping their stock to suit the seasons.

And although the team trialled a deli section last year, which offered breads, cheeses, and meats, this has been scaled back to provide more seating for the coffee shop.

Louise, 42, said: "I have been here since day one and I love our customers and team here.

"Debbie is a close friend so when she took another job on, I said I would take the business on because I wanted to keep all the team together.

"We're always busy here and still getting new customers only just finding out about us, so things are going well.

"I don't think you should change things that aren't broken, so nothing will be massively changing, although we can look at expanding things over time.

"I've had such a lovely response from people since taking over, from my team, customers, and businesses on the high street, it's been really nice but quite overwhelming!".

Louise cutting the Fika ribbon this weekLouise cutting the Fika ribbon this week (Image: Louise Carr) Fika Coffee and Home is open six days a week from 9am, and from 10am on Sundays. More information can be found here.