Draft
Dirty Dogs Grooming Centre, Hunt's Cross, Liverpool
This amazing new grooming centre opened at Hunt's Cross Liverpool, on 1st June and we sent along our Commercial Director Sammi, her sister Lesley and her dog Dotty to investigate.
'Dotty is a sable cocker spaniel. She is four years old and quite a character. She has her own Instagram page (the_dotster) and over 14,000 followers! She is, what you might call, a Doggy Influencer, and gets requests from pet suppliers to try out and review their products ... so a super choice for checking out a new dog grooming business!
On arrival we were impressed to find easy parking just outside of the building - free too! There's a flat entrance to the centre so no issues with mobility and once inside, it's a bright airy interior. We were welcomed by the friendly receptionist and Dotty was 'checked-in'. This included a number of health and safety questions such as when she'd had her last vaccination and whether she had any allergies etc. We met the groomer who was very gentle with Dotty as she discussed the type of cut that Lesley wanted. Dotty was then whisked into the grooming area which was behind glass doors so that we could see in. There were a number of dogs already being attended to at various stations and all looked happy and calm.
The centre offers much more than grooming though as it also has a lovely 'Puppy Enrichment Area' where people can bring young dogs to play either on their own or socialise with other pups, getting them used to the sights and sounds of the centre ahead of their first groom. This is an excellent idea as it will help desensitise them and, as it's a far cry from a clinical environment, shouldn't take too long. There is also a large range of products available including raw and dry food, beds, harnesses, cages, toys and much more PLUS many lines of Dirty Dogs own brand products.
What we particularly liked was the refreshment area where the two-legged patrons could sit and wait with a brew rather than having to abandon their beloved pet and come back later.
When Dotty was ready for her big reveal she looked amazing and her wagging tail told us that she was still completely relaxed and unphazed by treatment. She also smelled wonderful, thanks to a spritz of 'Strawberry Bon Bon' fragrance. Dirty Dogs sell a range of wonderful fragrances making it easy to keep your pet smelling sweet between grooms. Dotty was also sporting a super pink 'Dirty Dogs' bandana, a standard addition to every groom. Dotty had the full groom, a spritz of fragrance and also the 'pawdecure' with butter treatment for her pads and a special oil to keep her nails shiny and healthy. £42 for the groom and £10 for the pawdecure.
The whole experience at Dirty Dogs was positive, and that's the right word - it was an experience, not just a service. From the moment you arrive your pet is made a fuss of - little treats and cuddles abound, and that is bound to make them feel at ease. We spoke to Jay, one of the owners, and his passion for both animals and for the business was palpable. The team at Dirty Dogs aim to make the centre a hub for dog owners in the area, somewhere they can pop in for a toy or just a drink and say hello as well as the grooming facilities.'
For more information about Dirty Dogs Grooming Centre, please click on the link above.
The Old Duke, Scarisbrick New Road
New Management took over The Old Duke a short while ago, so when they invited us along to have a look around and witness the positive changes we jumped at the chance. A Marstons Pub, The Old Duke sits at the busy junction at Meols Cop, handy for the shops and also the playing fields adjacent to the college and school.
Andy and Sorcha went along with Commercial Director Sammi and her husband Paul to try out the main courses.
The first thing to note that, although close to a busy road, once on the pub grounds it feels quite serene. There's a couple of large outdoor seating areas plus a children's play area too. Heather and her team have decided to make the pub dog-friendly and have provided a host of feature to ensure that your furry one is well looked after. There are dog beds to borrow and blankets too, lots of dog bowls and water (dog wine!), a fantastic selection of treats and toys to purchase and even a doggy menu. They also have a colour coded 'cone' system in place. You can pop a coloured cone on your table or on the floor next to your pup to indicate whether or not you are happy with people approaching them. Various colours indicate whether they are friendly, timid or reactive. Dogs are allowed in the hard floor areas and there's plenty of carpeted non-doggy areas for those that are allergic or don't wish to mix with the four footed clientele. The team are planning a paddling pool and 'stick library' for the pooches in summer as well.
Now food - As well as the extensive main menu, Heather and the team put on a specials menu each day. Andy chose the standard mixed grill (£16.29) after pondering on the Mega portion for a few minutes. He was glad he opted for the standard as even that was a struggle to finish with half a chicken breast, 4oz rump steak, 4oz gammon steak, two sausages and a fried egg PLUS peas, tomato, onion rings, mushrooms and chips! Sorcha fancied the beef lasagne (£11.79) which came with garlic bread and salad plus chips on the side. Sammi went for the Ultimate Spicy Beef Burger as part of the Tuesday night burger special which worked out at £13.50 including a drink. She opted to upgrade to sweet potato fries. Paul went for an 8oz Sirloin with all the trimmings (£15.79).
All of the food came out together and quickly. It was hot and tasty and the service was top notch.
The pub is planning to hold a number of events over the summer and they're hosting the Responsible Dog Rescue Charity Quiz on Friday 10th May from 8pm.
The pub is all on the level and accessible toilets are available.
For more information please click on the link above.
Werksy
A unique concept in Southport, Werksy opened its doors in January this year offering a warm and friendly environment for lone workers, home workers and small businesses. Werksy provides a range of options from agile 'Lounge' access, through dedicated desk hire up to private office space - all on a flexible short or long term agreement.
Our breakfast host Andy and Commercial Director Sammi went along to sample the Werksy experience and chat to a few of the members.
The building itself is beautiful and the traditional warehouse features remain throughout, with lots of exposed brick, warm knotty wood and shiny industrial lighting. Sitting on West Street, it has easy access for anyone coming on foot, bike, car or train. In fact, if you are energetic enough to bike to work, they even provide a luxury shower to get yourself ready for your working day.
Sammi arrived an hour early in order to 'try out' the co-working space on the second floor. This area, known as the 'Lounge', is available part-time or full time with varying degrees of access to this and other facilities. It's a spacious floor with big bright windows allowing natural light to flood in and there are a variety of desk styles and seating areas, depending on your preference. Sammi plumped for a white desk next to one of the sunny windows ready to do some work, but first ... coffee! There is a well appointed communal kitchen area with a fridge, microwave and dishwasher. Members enjoy complimentary tea and coffee including a rather snazzy pod coffee machine. Sammi made herself a robust espresso and set about checking emails on her laptop. You're not guaranteed a specific desk, but there are plenty to choose from. Each one has access to a lockable cabinet so you can pop out to lunch or to meetings and leave personal items for a few hours.
Once Andy arrived Becky introduced herself as the Wersky Host. Becky is there most days making sure everyone has what they need. Once a member, you can come and go as you please as each member is issued with a security code for the building. Becky explained that she is simply on hand just in case there are any problems, if not on site, she's just a phone call away.
Sammi and Andy took a tour of the rest of the facilities -
There is a super suite of private offices on the top, mezzanine floor. Ideal for small teams to rent instead of traditional office space. All bills are included so no shelling out for rubbish collection, heat, lighting, wifi, rates or water on top of your rent. All the little bills that you often overlook when contemplating business property, and they all add up!
On the third floor they have another communal kitchen, much like the lower one. Also on this floor is an enclosed 'Desk' area. Like before, huge warehouse windows ensure that the room is bathed in sunlight. Here, solo workers can rent a specific desk with access seven days a week. Most of the desks were occupied when we were there and there was a great buzz of busy happy people in the room. The Desk option is perfect for remote workers or sole traders for a number of reasons - you can leave your possessions on your desk, you have dedicated storage, a post box, use of a board room a few hours each month and on top of that, the camaraderie from the other members. One of the biggest issues about working alone is isolation. Having someone to vibe with now and then or even someone to bounce ideas off is essential to positive mental health in the workplace and there is a real community forming at Werksy, you could feel that users were happy and relaxed.
Andy interviewed a number of the Werksy community and the eclectic mix of not only business types but also the structure of the businesses using the building was staggering. You can hear the interviews on air but there will also be a link at the bottom of this review for you to listen again. For example - we spoke to Dave. He works for a US company that manufactures intermodal tanks (containers for the transport of liquids, gases and powders as bulk cargo) and he is literally the only member of the company based in the UK. He tried working from home but that was too solitary and he didn't have suitable space, so tried hiring a serviced private office in town ... but he was still sitting on his own. Now he has people around him and it has proved an ideal solution. He is more focused and has the support of the community around him in the office.
In addition to the three working areas there are various meeting rooms, a private area for confidential calls, toilets and shower room. All beautifully appointed.
Werksy has a lift to all floors apart from the mezzanine and has an accessible toilet.
*On top of all of the advantages already mentioned, Werksy members also enjoy access to the Werksy portal, Diamond Retail discount/cashback, discounted stays at a local hotel and access to events and networking. *Access varies depending on the level of membership.
In summary, Werksy provides an ideal solution to small businesses and lone workers - it offers flexibility, an all inclusive pricing policy, super fast internet, community and a great location giving your business the opportunity to free up budget for other priorities and allowing you space to grow.
Andy and Sammi thoroughly enjoyed their time at Werksy and meeting Becky and the members. It's a whole new way of working and if you would like to know more, contact the team via the link above.
Hickorys
Having been invited to try out their new cocktail menu recently and sampled a little of their food, our Breakfast team jumped at the chance of enjoying a full meal at Hickory's Smokehouse in Southport. Keen to review from a family perspective, Andy took along partner Sorcha and little Elvie and Hayley brought husband Jordan and their son, Paddy.
Arriving at Hickory's the first thing that hits you even before you get inside is the incredible aroma. Straight away you can almost taste the deliciously seasoned meats as the char grilled smell wafts towards you and draws you in. If only they could bottle it and sell it, they wouldn't need to clean the plates!
The exterior of the venue is welcoming with strings of festoon lighting draped over the entrance and cosy looking cabins dotted around the large beer garden area.
As we stepped through the door we were met with the warmest of greetings from Dan, one of the managers at Hickorys Southport, and he showed us to our table.
The menus appeared and were like nothing we’ve ever seen before, printed to appear like newspapers, the quirky design and style just adds to the ‘Hickorys experience’
We were eager to begin so took no time perusing the menu and quickly ordered a round of drinks and some starters.
Straight away Elvie spotted the delicious range of milkshakes and opted for the Biscoff flavoured one, which came complete with a Biscoff biscuit.
For the starters it was hard to pick so we decided to choose several items from the appetisers menu and share them between us. We opted for the cheesy giant pretzel which was just divine and if you’re looking for something to tickle your taste buds then we have to say that the smokey bourbon bacon bites were simply incredible and of course we had to try the delicious corn dogs, each topped with a mini American flag. They were delicious, really delivered on flavour.
There’s a great choice of meals for your mains and we’d say something to satisfy all tastes. Andy being Andy had to have a burger, and when it comes to burgers Hickory’s have it covered and then some, as we found out when Jordan ordered the ‘Go Big or Go Home’ Burger ... it was gigantic!!!
Hickory’s loves children and offer a fantastic kids menu. Paddy had Mac n Cheese which he loves anyway and this was Mac n Cheese Hickory’s style. It looked so good, Hayley had to try a bit (obviously just to check Paddy would like it wink wink). Elvie opted for the hot dog. The kids menu is very reasonably priced for the size of the portions with each starter around £3-£4 and each main around £6-£7.
The starters are amazing on their own and the burgers are fabulous but if you want a true taste of what Hickory’s is all about then you have to try some of the smoked meats. The full rack of ribs quite honestly, tasted out of this world. We all commented that they were the best ribs we’d ever tasted.
After our meal the children were invited to try and make their own milkshakes at the bar. Paddy had a great time mixing his and enjoyed getting to drink it even more. Hickory's also has a small cinema showing children's movies. The kids can go in on their own leaving the adults to enjoy their meal - quite tempting!
Before we left, Andy and Hayley were invited into the kitchen to meet the team and to see where the magic happens. We were shown the incredible smoker and we were told every Hickory's has one and each one is imported from America especially. Again the aroma was literally sensational and we could have stayed there all night!!
Overall we had an amazing few hours at Hickory's Smokehouse in great company, in really comfortable and warm surroundings PLUS we had some really delicious complementary popcorn a MUST when visiting Hickory's!
The restaurant itself is very accessible and the team will go above and beyond to cater for every customers individual needs.
We’ve already planned to go back again. INCREDIBLE !!
Churchtown Deli 'Wine & Cheese Tasting'- Botanic Road, Churchtown
The medieval village of Churchtown has a charm that is both infectious and unique. Whitewashed thatched cottages, beautiful pubs and the stunning Botanic Gardens provide a quaint escape from the hustle and bustle of the high street. Churchtown is also home to an increasing number of quality independent businesses, including Churchtown Deli which sits at its heart on Botanic Road.
Churchtown Deli is owned by the irrepressible Gilly. Gilly's enthusiastic passion for wine and cheese led to her buying the business after a long career in the pharmaceutical industry. The Deli offers a huge range of wines, beers, cheeses and all manner of treats and 'picky bits' but they also host popular regular events. Gilly invited us along to experience one of her famous 'Wine & Cheese Tasting' nights and we sent our Commercial Director Sammi along with her husband Paul to find out what it was all about.
"When Dune asked if I would go along to Churchtown Deli to sample some wine and cheese, I didn't need to ponder on it for very long - it was an emphatic 'hell yes!' Paul and I arrived at the given time (6.30pm) and was greeted by Gilly, our friendly host. She showed us to a table and explained that there would be three parties of two and a table of five for the evening - a large enough group for a little atmosphere but small enough to still be intimate enough for everyone to ask as many questions as they liked. The other 'tasters' arrived shortly afterwards and the event began.
On the table there was a selection of nibbles to enjoy between tastings. Gilly explained that the nibbles were all chosen to compliment but not compete with the wines. We had mixed olives, thick cut crisps, lightly salted crackers and a delicious hummus dressed with pomegranate oil.
Gilly ran through how the evening would flow and gave each group a list of the wines we would be tasting, it was going to be a blind tasting so we had a section to make notes and have a guess at which wine was which. And we were off!
We worked our way through three superb white wines and three wonderful reds all of which are available to buy from the Deli from around £11 a bottle. Gilly provided tasting notes on each wine, guiding us on how best to appreciate them. With each wine we were presented with a canapé that had been specifically chosen to match the grape and encouraged to savour how the taste of the wine altered with food. Unlike other tastings I have been to, Gilly also explained all about the cheeses we were presented with; where they were made, how they were made and even their celebrity connections (the time that singer Pink had a brie wheel thrown to her on stage from the audience for example!)
The wine servings were quite generous with plenty of top ups and when it came time for the 'Big Reveal' (after the sixth and final bottle) we were all a little merry! The results were in and Paul and I got every single wine wrong, but at least we were consistent!
As the evening drew to a close Gilly expanded a little more about the shop as some of the tasters had never been before. She makes the most wonderful paté with port and offers an amazing service where you can bring your own serving dishes and she will fill it with freshly made paté for you to take home and freeze until needed. She also provides superb cheeseboards (hire her boards or she will fill your own) ideal for Christmas get-togethers or dinner parties. The Deli also offers a handy bespoke Hamper service, perfect for gifts.
As we wobbled to our waiting taxi we left a happy gaggle of tasters clutching their purchases after a really lovely evening.
The Deli is on a completely flat level. There are accessible toilets in the Bold Arms across the road available to tasters via an existing agreement.
Other events at the Deli include Bubbles nights and Gin & Rum Cocktail experiences. The Wine & Cheese evening is priced at £28 per person.
For more information on Churchtown Deli and upcoming events please click on the link above