Cafes are back open in Liverpool and there’s one coffee shop that’s got a festive treat for visitors and passers by.
Bean There coffee shop on the corner of Smithdown Road and Penny Lane has created a beautiful Christmas scene in its window with gingerbread houses that replicate the historic local area made famous by the Beatles song.
The enchanting display is a treat for children, who will enjoy seeing an old fashioned Liverpool tram making its way around the snowy scene and disappearing into a tunnel. And once inside Bean There you can warm up with a hot chocolate and try to choose from one of the many delicious cakes from the counter.
Owners Candice and Andrew Muligan, said: “We always like to make the shop look and feel really festive at Christmas including lots of handmade decorations but this year with the restrictions we expected to not be able to allow anybody inside so thought a window display would be a great way to still spread a bit of Christmas joy!
“And what better than a gingerbread scene of the local area as a little thank you to all our customers who have supported us through the various stages of lockdown and opening this year.”
The scene was a labour of love and those passing by are stopping to appreciate the efforts.
Candice added: “It took a couple of weeks of designing and initially building the models from cardboard. And then about three days to use the cardboard templates to make all the gingerbread pieces, then decorate and set the scene up.
"Lots of coffee and gingerbread leftovers got us through this! The buildings you can see are all real gingerbread, even the vintage Liverpool tram is.
“There has been a great reaction from everyone that's seen it already, obviously kids have been loving it but it's also so nice to see so many people, even if they just pause for a second on their way past, it puts a smile on their face.”
The cafe reopened on Thursday and serves breakfasts, sandwiches, sausage rolls and that mouthwatering selection of cakes.
Andrew said: “Thankfully with the restrictions easing in Liverpool we've been able to reopen this week and it's been great to welcome so many of our regulars back in again.”
Bean There is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm and weekends from 9am to 5pm.
