A Spotlight on LD24
Sometimes it can be difficult to find that elusive gap in the market when setting up a new business, but for Joe Mullarkey & wife, Sarah, the idea of a specialty coffee shop was one that the people of Warrington had long been crying out for. With early comments including ‘the best coffee in Cheshire’and ‘just what the village needed’ it seems they’ve created quite a buzz within just a few months of opening.
Where is it?
LD24 is amongst the popular café society and champagne bars of Cheshire’s leafy Stockton Heath, just two miles from Warrington. The pretty suburb is bordered by both the Manchester Ship Canal and the Bridgewater Canal.
How long has it been there?
LD24 opened in summer 2018.
Who’s in charge?
Owned and run by husband and wife team, Joe & Sarah, LD24 was borne out of a discovery of and subsequent growing love of specialty coffee.
What’s the vibe?
After spending months visiting coffee shops around the country, Joe & Sarah designed LD24 to be a hybrid of their favourite ones. Over two floors, it has a relaxed modern industrial feel with exposed brick walls, atmospheric low hanging lights and wrought iron window benches. Comfy sofas add a homely touch and outside, a striking coffee mural courtesy of a talented local graffiti artist gives a cool, edgy vibe.
Who goes there?
Its not taken too long for word to spread about this being an amazing independent coffee shop serving up the best coffee in Cheshire, so its no surprise that people from all walks of life are becoming LD24 regulars. From ladies who brunch, business types on working lunches, yummy mummy’s meeting for a coffee and catch up, and dads’ having a cheeky sugar fix with kids in tow, LD24 is a place where everyone feels comfortable.
What’s the food like?
Mouthwatering sandwiches freshly made on sourdough bread have exciting flavour combinations that cater for all dietary requirements. Avocado, feta cheese and sweet chilli houmous is a firm vegan favourite, or there’s beef pastrami, blue cheese & caramelised onion chutney as a tasty treat for meat eaters. The most important thing is to get there early before they sell out! Oh and of course there’s the cakes… cupcakes, traybakes, loaf cakes, round cakes, brownies, blondies, flapjacks, and the most delicious signature cookies from Dan’s Cookiesthat fly off the shelves!
What cake should we order?
Surely, a different one every day is the sensible option! Why not try a Pistachio raspberry & lemon loaf to welcome in the weekend, a gluten free fruit, nut & seed bar with date caramel to get the week off to a healthy start, and a comforting lemon ginger & turmeric cake to warm up a Wednesday!
And washed down with..?
Coffee! Their best seller tends to be a flat white followed closely by a cappuccino. Joe starts the day off with a Carvetii seasonal espresso and finishes the afternoon with a cortado whereas Sarah is a cappuccino with chocolate girl. They also offer refreshing iced lattes as well as coffee alternatives including turmeric and beetroot lattes.
Why Carvetii Coffee?
While sussing out the country’s coffee shops, Joe & Sarah discovered Homeground Caféin Windermere and were blown away with the quality of the coffee being served. Homeground owner, Rich’s best advice for the couple was to establish a good relationship with their coffee roaster and duly introduced them to Gareth & Angharad at Carvetii. Meeting the Carvetii guys opened their eyes to specialty coffee and the science and story behind it.
What do people say about LD24?
Did we mention the fact that they serve the best coffee in Cheshire? Customers have said LD24 was just what the village needed, a great asset to the area, a great addition to the local café culture and much preferred to the regular chain of coffee houses.
Any interesting facts about LD24?
LD24is so-called after its position at number 24 London Road. It’s also proudly the only specialty coffee shop in the wider Warrington area.
What should people do in Stockton Heath?
Despite being just two miles from Warrington, Stockton Heath retains a classic village feel with a nice mix of independent shops, boutiques and lively places to eat & drink. There’s no shortage of countryside on the doorstep to get outside and enjoy a walk, and one of the most popular activities is hiring a self-drive day boat to enjoy a slower pace of life (max 4mph) passing through charming Cheshire villages like Grappenhall and Lymm on the Bridgewater Canal.
Anything else?
The legendary George Formby Senior – one of the greatest music hall performers of the 20thcentury lived just down the road from LD24 until his death in 1921. He is buried alongside his son in Warrington cemetery.
What LD24 say about us…“We knew we wanted Carvetii to be our supplier before we even opened after being blown away by the quality of their coffee. Then, when we met Gareth & Angharad for the first time, we left with a really good feeling. They truly know their stuff and have a real level of maturity, passion and complete commitment to their customers. They were genuinely there to help us get on our feet and get up and running; from advising on the layout of the bar and maximising revenue, to providing training on the machinery and honing our barista skills. We spent a day with them at the roastery in the Lake District, which showed us how much actually goes into making that perfect cup of coffee. We learned so much without feeling overwhelmed because everything was delivered in a great manner, was easy to understand, and really gave us the confidence to open LD24.”
What customers say about LD24…
https://www.facebook.com/pg/ld24coffee/reviews/?ref=page_internal
“We love the relaxed, trendy style and friendly staff – to say nothing of the perfectly crafted coffee!”
https://www.facebook.com/pg/ld24coffee/reviews/?ref=page_internal
“I’d been told this was the best coffee in the village and would have to agree whole-heartedly. Smoked salmon bagel very nice too!”
“Living locally it has to be said that we are not short of cafes/bars in which to grab a cup of coffee and meet up with friends. LD24 however does feel different. The coffee is delicious and always just at the right temperature! The selection of cookies and cakes are the perfect accompaniment, and difficult to ignore unless you have very strong willpower. There is seating both upstairs and down with places to perch outside should the weather allow.
Staff have always been polite and helpful. They genuinely seem to care about making the perfect drink. I would highly recommend you pop in and give it a try, or grab a takeaway to enjoy on your travels, just as much care goes into both.”
LD24 is open Monday-Saturday 7am-5pm and Sunday 11am-5pm.
LD24, 24 London Road, Stockton Heath, Warrington, Cheshire, WA4 6HN.
Find out more at
https://www.facebook.com/pg/ld24coffee/photos/?ref=page_internal