Sweet way Derby café will be 'spreading the love' this Valentine's Day

A local café is getting ready to treat customers to a serving of TLC on Valentine’s Day with a small gift that aims to make them feel ‘loved and appreciated.’

Mrs C’s Tea Cosy on Normanton Lane, Derby, is on a mission to ‘spread the love’ on one of the most romantic days of the year.

For one day only, it will be handing out a gift that customers can take away and cherish.

The sweet gesture is the idea of Michelle Cockroft who is the owner of the café.

The 41-year-old from Littleover had the gift idea in time for Valentine’s Day.

The thoughtful café owner cooked up the idea of the ‘giveaway with a twist’ because she wants everyone to feel loved and appreciated.

Read more: Food and drink in Derby

Michelle said: “We’re spreading the love next week for Valentine's Day when every single customer will receive a little gift from us.”

The free gift will be a chocolate heart, a mini pack of Love Hearts sweets, a heart-shaped glass jewel, or a rose. 

Michelle says Valentine’s Day can be a lonely time for some and her latest move is a bid to dispel feelings of isolation. 

She said: “We pride ourselves on being a community café.

“Valentine’s Day can feel like a competition, who’s got the biggest bouquet, or the biggest present.

“So many people don’t have that in their lives.”

Fostering a vibrant community in Derby

Michelle has plenty of exciting plans this year, including competitions that place locals and community at the heart of her lean, never mean, café machine.

This includes a Top Dog competition where locals are invited to post photos of their pooches, with a view of the favourite dog winning a doggy breakfast.

Michelle said: “At Mrs C’s Tea Cosy, we have a really strong sense of community spirit. 

“Since opening last year, we have just got busier, and busier, which means strangers often end up sharing tables.

“These are people, sitting close, across the table, who have never met before.

“They will end up talking to each other, or me, as I serve customers.

“Returning customers love the community feel too.”

Michelle hopes the giveaway will help ‘lift people’s spirits and make them smile.’

The café is always bustling and Michelle is keen to welcome customers as she works hard to promote a safe and inclusive environment.

She said: “Come on down, bring anyone you want, your mum, dad, grandparents, children, grandchildren, aunt, uncle, your best friend or even your dog.

“You can even come alone and make a new friend!”

The café’s opening hours are Monday - Friday 8am till 2.30pm and Saturday 8.30am till 12.30pm. 

Address: Mrs C’s Tea Cosy, 4 Normanton Lane, Littleover, Derby DE23 6GP

For more information visit the café’s social page by clicking here.