Bolton: Self opens in Westhoughton

After successfully running We Are The Kitchen in Westhoughton for five years, Nicky Gillon, 41, decided she wanted to give something more to people with ‘Self’.

Self is unlike your typical coffee shop, and offers a wide range of yoga classes, meditation, and Qi gong.

There are still plenty of food options at the deli, as well as only serving alcohol free cocktails, and cakes with CBD oil inside.

Nicky said: “There is a need for this space.

“I just want to provide a space with good coffee, good food, and good people, and put a little twist with it.

“When this space became available, I was away.

“It’s a really calm and wonderful space.

Nicky celebrating during launch night

“I wanted to provide something in a village, for people wanting to maybe travel to cities.

“It’s also a place people can come to by themselves.”

Nicky took the decision to make Self alcohol free, following work she has done in the past with recovering addicts, as well as more people on the lookout for an alcohol-free bar.

She said: “I have worked with recovering addicts in the past who have made progress.

“It will be a sober space for the foreseeable.

“I never realised how many people don’t drink or are recovering addicts who need a space to go to.”

Self sells many sustainable products with the message of female empowerment, including plants, and wax melts.

Nicky added: “It’s more than just a coffee shop.”

Children will also be catered for with boxes of toys to keep them entertained.

One of the classes on offer will include a Q&A session on menopause with Dr Hall, who Nicky calls ‘the menopause queen’ and Dr Matter from Peter House surgery.

Nicky's mum Janice and good friend Faye Jenkins

Nicky said: “As you are coming into that time of your life, there is a big rebirth where you can regain your sense of self.

“So many think they have to deal with it on their own, and there’s a process of remembering who you are and what you are capable of.

“We have joined forces with the community NHS practice to see what is available around menopause other than GP’s.”

Nicky became a qualified movement healing therapist and has previously taught meditation in her last business.

She added: “I built up a really beautiful group of people who have benefitted massively and healed even myself.”

Inside the brand new community space

Nicky had a ‘soft’ opening on Sunday (August 21) to make sure that any kinks could be ironed out, which she says was a huge success.

Self is due to open today (Thursday August 25), and is located on Market Street, Westhoughton.

Nicky said: “It means everything.

“It means I can provide for my three-year-old, beautiful little girl Sunny.

“I want to show her what I am capable of and what she’s capable of, and that there is no limit if you dream big.”