18th April 2013
May 1st will be a special day in Shireoaks. The pretty village near Worksop will get its Coffee Shop back.
Laura Elliott
Right by the bridge over the Chesterfield Canal, Nona’s was a very popular stopover for walkers and cyclists as well as a meeting place for local people. Then in June 2011, the owner, Dawn Siddons, moved the business to the brand new Hollingwood Hub on the canal near Chesterfield. This has proved a great success and is a very popular venue.
On the very first day of opening in the new premises, Laura Elliott was taken on as an apprentice. She learnt about baking, customer service, book keeping etc. She rapidly earned a positive reputation amongst the customers for her happy, welcoming manner. She passed her NVQ from Chesterfield College in record time.
Laura feels that the time is now right to start her own business, so she has taken over the lease at the original Nona’s back in Shireoaks. It will now be called Laura’s Coffee Shop.
She is presently working hard to decorate the premises, get new furniture and spruce it up ready for the grand opening on May Day. This is proving a bit hectic because she is still working at the Hollingwood Nona’s until 21st April.
Laura will start off with a similar menu to the tried and tested one. Everything is homemade; there will be drinks, sandwiches, light meals, ice creams and of course a selection of cakes to die for. In addition, there will be a supply of information about the canal supplied by the Chesterfield Canal Trust.
Kath Auton, Membership Secretary for the Trust, said “We all wish Laura the very best of luck. She is a very special young lady. Whilst she will be sorely missed at Hollingwood, I have no doubt that the people of Shireoaks will very quickly take her into their hearts.”
Laura (centre) on her last day at Hollingwood.