Fenton Manor café reopens with new look and new name

-Credit: (Image: Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel)
-Credit: (Image: Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel)


The café at Fenton Manor Sports Complex has reopened its doors following a refurbishment. The newly-launched café - now named ‘Noreen’s Recovery Lounge’ - is being run as a social enterprise.

Stoke-on-Trent’s Community Drug and Alcohol Service (CDAS), delivered by BAC O’Connor and WithYou in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, will be running the venue and offering a range of healthy, freshly cooked adult and children’s meals. The café has been named in honour of 'magnificent' Noreen Oliver MBE, who sadly died in December last year at the age of 63.

She founded BAC O'Connor Centres to help those with addiction issues and was credited with 'saving countless lives' across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. The new-look café will be open to the public from 10am until 8pm on Thursday and Friday, and between 8.30am and 6.30pm every Saturday and Sunday.

Kendra Gray, Chief Executive Officer at BAC O’Connor, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have reopened the café at Fenton Manor Sports Complex. The café is a social enterprise, similar to our award-winning Langan’s Tea Rooms in Burton-on-Trent and Strawbale Café in Wigan.

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"This model gives those enrolled into CDAS’ recovery programmes the opportunity to give back to their community while developing skills and qualifications that could be the first step toward a new career. The lounge is named in honour of the late Noreen Oliver MBE, Hon.DLit, who founded BAC O’Connor back in 1998.

"Noreen was a kind yet fierce advocate of drug and alcohol policy reform, and so as part of her legacy, we wanted to create a safe and supportive space that helps to break down stigmas and which showcases the incredible potential of those in drug or alcohol recovery.

-Credit:Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel
-Credit:Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel

"For us, Noreen’s Recovery Lounge is a place of hope. It’s where local communities and groups can come together to embrace recovery in all of its forms. Noreen always wanted to open a social enterprise in Stoke-on-Trent and we are thrilled to open this lounge in her honour."

Andrew Bradburn, manager of Noreen’s Recovery Lounge, added: "We offer a wide range of healthy choices and cook all the meals and snacks onsite. Noreen’s Recovery Lounge is the perfect place to drop in for a bite to eat - so whether you’re passing by, attending a special event or recovering from a class, workout or swim, we encourage you to pop in and see us. Everyone is welcome."

Sharon Wain, director of contract delivery at WithYou, said: "This inspiring space offers a welcoming environment where individuals in recovery and the wider community can enjoy delicious, healthy meals prepared by a dedicated team, many of whom are in recovery themselves. We are really addressing the needs of Stoke-on-Trent and those accessing our services. This lounge is a key part of the community and a wonderful legacy for Noreen."

Councillor Lynn Watkins, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Stoke- on-Trent City Council, added: "It was fantastic to be able to visit the new café and see first-hand how much people are enjoying the facilities. This social enterprise is a great example of where people who have been through hardship have gotten the support they need and are now embracing working in the local community, everyone should feel comfortable when asking for the support they need.”

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