Reopening of Swinton café has been a "lifeline" to residents who have been shielding

Reopening of Swinton café has been a “lifeline” to residents who have been shielding

A community cafe in Swinton has re-opened its garden giving customers a place to go after months of isolation.

Loneliness has been prevalent throughout the lockdowns and people are now eager to get out as much as they can.

Salford’s pubs and cafés will be very busy for the foreseeable future as residents go to meet friends for the first time this year.

On April 12 the cafe opened its gardens and brand-new patio area, where they serve a selection of freshly cooked meals, hot and cold drinks, snacks, and cake.

The Critchley Café and Age UK charity shop welcomes people of all ages, with the friendly staff and locals offer a community spirit.

Normally the cafe runs a wide range of activities, including pottery classes, reading group, creative writing class, local history group, gardening group, film club, and IT courses.

Regular customers talk about how glad they are to be back in the interviews below:

(subtitles available)