Coast Road Coffee cafΓ© opens in Blackhall, County Durham
Coast Road Coffee opened in Blackhall on Tuesday (January 13), the result of a now or never decision by Erin Gillepsy, who has spent the past 20 years in education.
Erin, 44, grew up in the Midlands before moving north after marrying her husband from County Durham.
She spent years teaching science at High Tunstall College in Hartlepool, but decided the time had come for a complete career change.
She said: “I have been a teacher for 20 years and have never done anything like this, but I have now reached a stage where I want to try something new or a and a bit more of a challenge, and I felt now was the perfect time.
“It has been a dream of mine to open a cafΓ© and it is a big life-changing thing, I have settled here and always thought the village needed a social space.”
The move also fits around family life. Her seven-year-old son attends the nearby Catholic school, which allows her to manage childcare alongside running the business.
Although new to the cafΓ© trade, Ms Gillepsy has clear plans for how Coast Road Coffee will serve more than just drinks.
The space is intended to be a hub for the community with free wifi, a dog friendly policy, and activities for all ages.
She said: “In the summer holidays we have more plans of children story times, all free and I also have a friend in craft so we could collaborate and offer knitting or crafting sessions for children and adults. It is a large space and that’s why we want to use it to be a business that is there for the community.”
She added: “We have space where people can come and socialise, where mums and parents can meet and bring their children or teens on a Saturday morning, so they don’t have to hang out on the streets, we just want it to be a place for everyone.”
The cafΓ© will be run by Erin with occasional help from her daughter and son-in-law.
Coast Road Coffee is open from 9am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 2pm on Saturdays.
It is located at 40 Middle Street in Blackhall, County Durham.