Into the Spotlight, sponsored by Huddersfield-based Scriba PR, is a weekly feature which highlights some great businesses. This week we feature Meltham-based Lu’s Place, a new cafe that’s opened to great reviews.
A stunning £1 million café delayed by the pandemic finally opened last week and is rapidly making up for lost time.
Lu’s Place on the edge of the Meltham Mills Industrial Estate in Meltham is a high-end, contemporary dine-in or take-out.
The impressive glass-fronted new-build caters for everyone from business people, couples or family groups with young children to dog walkers, cyclists and even horse riders.
It serves breakfasts – including the trademark Lu’s American pancakes – and lunches, pizzas, deli snacks, sweet treats and afternoon teas. Local suppliers include Hinchliffe’s Farm Shop and Dixons Milk Ices.
The café is dog and walkers friendly and there’s even a boot wash outside. Uniquely, there’s also a wooden hitching post where riders can tether their horses while they pop in for a quick takeaway!
Lu’s Place is the brainchild of businessman Dan Bamforth, managing director of Meltham property company Towndoor.
It’s named in honour of Dan’s mum Lucy and the café’s giraffe-themed logos and décor is taken from Lucy’s love of all animals great and small.
Dan’s executive assistant Meg Anderson said: “Dan had the vision to create Lu’s Place back in 2019 but then the pandemic struck and the plans were delayed.
READ MORE: Into the Spotlight profiles a great business every Thursday – here’s our archive of stories
“We had hoped to open last summer, then October and then Christmas and we finally opened on March 31.
“We had a soft invitation-only launch the day before we opened for friends and family and since then it’s been manic!
“We’ve been so busy we are now encouraging people to book and not just at weekends. We’ve been so busy we’ve had to turn people away which is not something we want to do.”
The café, which is licensed, has around 70-80 covers in total. It has a great vibe and its style is industrial chic. It’s stylish but not fussy, perfect for people stopping off during a walk – or ride – around Meltham Mills Reservoir or the nearby Honley Woods.
At the front there’s the Glasshouse, a glass-fronted eating area with a retractable roof and windows that lower ready for the summer weather. Dogs are allowed in the Glasshouse and there’s a doggy menu too.
There’s also a cool VIP Pod which provides private dining for up to eight people and can be hired for special occasions and celebrations. The quirky, oval-shaped oak-framed pod has an in-built Bluetooth music system, heating and comfy lounge seating.
It has amazing 360-degree views and is THE place to see – and be seen!
Outside – and again for the better weather – there are swing benches and terrace tables.
It is hoped in the future to offer the whole venue for private hire and also to extend opening hours into the evening for bistro nights.
Lu’s Place opens Wednesday to Saturday 9am-5pm and Sundays 10am-4pm. It’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
For more go to https://lusplace.co.uk/ or search for Lu’s Place on Facebook.
All the images are courtesy of: MARK FLYNN PHOTOGRAPHY
