A BRUNCH kitchen that has thrived through the cost of living crisis is close to celebrating one year since its launch.
Bringing a "city centre vibe" to the heart of Tyldesley, Redemption Coffee & Kitchen opened up on Chapel Street in January 2022.
Launching from a formerly derelict building where there are not too many similar ventures and covid concerns were still lingering, Redemption was "a bit of a gamble", owner Matt Whitehead tells me.
Yet twelve months on, the former property developer said his gamble has paid dividends, despite the challenges arising from the cost of living crisis.
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Matt said: "Before we first opened, I was extremely nervous.
"I wasn't sure if it was going to go back to limited customers or takeaway only, and I'd spent a year turning a derelict building into something that isn't like anything around it.
"But we had queues outside on our opening weekend, and this has carried on almost every weekend since. It's really heartwarming to see.".
Like many businesses, the most challenging thing over the past year has been the rising cost of living, with basic products like milk "increasing six times" and the building's electricity bill going up 90%.
Inevitably, the financial strain has had to be accommodated by increased prices on some items of Redemption's menu, but Matt is confident that the cost is reasonable for the quality of food and service.
Offering speciality coffee, loose leaf tea, and a fresh brunch menu, Matt added: "I think our customers will agree that there has not been a decrease in the value for money from what we offer.
"We are very careful with our prices because we don't want to turn anyone off. But we are very open with customers as we want to have that mutual respect."
Cementing its place as a trendy eatery in Tyldesley, Redemption has now expanded to open seven days a week.
Following the successes over the past year, Matt wants to build on this, experiment with more food options, host events, and become a long-standing community hub.
He added: "I think that community feel is what is lacking in city centre venues sometimes, so that is something we are really trying to push.
"We have a real community of regulars now where we know people's faces, know their order, and they know what to expect.
"We want to continue this and provide a place that offers a consistent quality of food and service - we're in it for the long run."
Matt promised that Redemption will offer something special around the business' first anniversary on January 19.
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