A horsebox café will be serving the community of Astley Bridge every day.
Gerry's Food and Drink has been a staple of the community since it opened in October last year, outside the Astley Bridge Football Club on match days.
But now, the little mobile café is permitted to open seven days a week after obtaining a licence from Bolton Council.
Owner of Gerry’s Food and Drink, Nikki Wilson from Ladybridge, Bolton, said: “I am so excited to get going and get started.
“The last 12 months have been bleak, and events were being cancelled so I am hoping now with the summer things will pick up.
“When I got off the phone with the council, I was so happy and elated.”
Among the food served is breakfast barms, sandwiches, loaded hotdogs, loaded chilli, black pudding, and cakes and treats from local bakeries.
Nikki wants to use local bakers for all treats and is also on the lookout for bakeries for bread.
On matchdays, Gerry’s Food and Drink can serve around 300 people.
She said: “On event days I am very busy and must have served about 300 people at the last one.
“About five weeks ago, I went to the Women in Business awards, and I won one, the Rising Star 2024.
“So, I am hoping to be very much integrated into the community and feed the homeless soon.”
Nikki is experienced in catering and has worked at Smithills Coach House, Rhode Island Coffee, Curley’s Dining Room, and Moss Bank Park Café, the latter two being her favourite places to work.
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She said: “I have always worked in catering, but I was sick of not being a boss so bought this last year already converted and the idea was just food and drinks to passing workers, locals, and passing mums and kids.
“I was nearly 37 and worked for different people and I just wanted to decide my own hours and menu and be my own boss.
“I think Covid changed a lot for people because they realised they wanted to do what they always wanted to do and made me realise that I needed to be happy in my job and I had to go and do it on my own.”
Gerry’s Food and Drink will be open from 7.30am till 2pm.
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