Sisters ask for help in reopening organic café after fire

Lynn Fowler and Louise Barber-Redmore opened the The Green Kitchen, located just off the A49 Warrington Road in Bartington in July last year.

After decades of cooking and baking at home, the moment was one of pure joy for the siblings who turned their passion for food into a viable business.

However, those dreams went up in smoke on May 29, after a fire in the kitchen destroyed everything in the cosy little organic café.

Everything in the café was destroyed by smoke damage (Image: Supplied)

“Just as we were planning celebrations for our first anniversary disaster struck,” Lynn explained.

“We arrived at the cafe on Sunday, May 29 to open up and overnight there'd been a fire in the kitchen.

“Fortunately, the structural damage wasn't too bad, but we lost absolutely everything - and we mean everything.

“All our furnishings, equipment, the whole lot was gone.

“To say we were devastated is an understatement.

“To have your much longed-for dream destroyed so cruelly is heart breaking.

"We'd like to say a huge thank you to the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (from Lymm) who attended the fire - they were brilliant and we can't thank them enough."

The fire started in the kitchen of the popular café (Image: Supplied)

It was a crushing blow to the sisters, after the business had really taken off and was proving to be a popular success.

“It was the first time we'd done anything like this before,” Lynn added.

“We've always been passionate about the environment and organic produce - particularly vegetarian food - and wanted to provide something for our community by using local suppliers.

“Well, it's fair to say that it took off.

“People came from far and wide for our vegetarian food, but particularly for our homemade organic cakes and scones.”

Lynn Fowler and her sister Louise Barber-Redmore shortly after they opened The Green Kitchen

With plans for that first anniversary now put on ice, Lynn and Louise are asking for some help from the community in getting back on their feet. They have set up a Just Giving page and are asking people to donate as much or little as they.

“Having run our business for just 10 months we'd have to start from scratch again,” Lynn said.

“We've loved running our cafe so much that we decided that's exactly what we'd do.

“Fast-forward to August and building work has eventually started and we're hoping to reopen in September.

“Unfortunately, our contents insurance isn't enough to cover the total refurbishment costs.

“We desperately want to reopen but need your help please.

“If you just donate the cost of a cup of coffee we'd be delighted!”

To help the sisters out you can do so by visiting their Just Giving page and making a donation.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/thegreen-kitchen?utm_term=GaEKBgZmj