Into the Spotlight, sponsored by Huddersfield-based Scriba PR, is a new weekly feature – online every Thursday – which highlights lesser known businesses that generally go under the radar. Here we highlight Arcade Coffee & Food in the Byram Arcade

It’s tucked away down a side street and it’s probably Huddersfield’s best-kept lockdown secret.

The Byram Arcade may be closed but Arcade Coffee & Food is still open for business, albeit only three days a week on limited hours.

Arcade has been serving up great coffee and food for three years now and manager Blyth Little has built up a loyal customer base.

That’s why Blyth and his staff were determined to open for lockdown takeaways and to supply customers with the quality locally-made products such as bread, jam, honey, peanut butter and beer. And, of course, West Slaithwaite’s Dark Woods Coffee.

“Our customers are all so lovely and we wanted to stay open to support them just like they have supported us,” said Blyth.

“We have so many regulars and a loyal customer base that we had to open. We could have stayed at home and taken furlough but we all wanted to come back.”

The shop is open Friday to Sunday 10am-3pm and it’s been busy with people popping in for a takeaway treat as part of their working day or for those nipping into town for some essential shopping.

But with the main gates of the Byram Arcade closed, customers have to find their way in via the back entrance, down an alleyway off Station Street.

“We are a bit of a secret,” said Blyth. “People have to make an effort to find us.”

In ‘normal’ times Arcade are renowned for breakfast and brunch. In lockdown the menu changes every week with lots of tempting specials.

Last weekend there were savoury and sweet waffles and pancakes and 25% was given to the Women’s Centre in Huddersfield as part of International Women’s Day celebrations.

A special for Valentines’ Day sold out and there’s another for Mothers’ Day this weekend with meal boxes available for collection or delivery.

“We love what we do here,” said Blyth. “We might be a coffee shop – and we have great coffee – but food is never secondary for us. As much as we are a coffee shop, we are an eatery.

“And in lockdown all the food we serve is perfect to be eaten on the move.”