Board Beans has beaten off tough competition to take Best Café title

How about a quick game of Cluedo or Labyrinth and a delicious slice of cake?

Board Beans on Witton Street in Northwich has beaten off some tough competition and taken Mid Cheshire’s latest Best of 2023 title – Best Café or Coffee Shop.

Each week, we will be searching for the best Mid Cheshire has to offer in different categories and we’ve given out 20 awards for 2023.

The winners so far:

Best for Hair – Oliver Gibney Hairdressing

Best for Pies – Ka Pie

Best for Nails – Samantha Dean Nails and Makeup

Best for Roast Dinner – The Red Lion in Little Budworth

Best for Cocktails – Grape and Bean

Best for Breakfast – Kanya Bistro and Bar

Best for Fitness – Simon Daniels

Best for Fish and Chips – The Corner Fish and Chip Shop

Best for Tattoos – Ink FX Tattoo

Best for Pizza – Oakwood Smoke and Dough

Best for Pets – Willowsway Cat Rescue

Best Independent Shop or Business – The Style Hut

Best for Desserts – Layers Treats

Best for Kids – Popcat’s Music Time

Best Gym – Namix Performance Centre

Best Beer Garden – The Carriers Inn

Best for Afternoon Tea – Goostrey Home and Leisure

Best for Burgers – Smokehouse and Cellar

Voting for Mid Cheshire’s Best for Curry is currently taking place and we’re also looking for nominations in our latest search – Best Pub or Bar.

Next on the menu was the search for Mid Cheshire’s Best Café or Coffee Shop and Board Beans Café took the latest Best of 2023 title.

Betsy and Frazer Eden - owners of Board Beans (Image: supplied)

Frazer and Betsy Eden, who are both 38 and moved to Northwich 20 years ago, own Board Beans on Witton Street and opened the doors in April 2019.

Frazer said: “We are a board games café bar in the heart of Northwich.

“We offer a unique space for friends and families of all ages and abilities to enjoy our range of food, drinks and extensive board games library.

“We have a games library of more than 650 games and customers can come in to play.

“We have a food menu that caters for everyone, with gluten free and vegan options available.

“We also have an alcohol licence, offering customers the chance to come out on a evening with a drink or two.”

Tasty Treats on offer at Board Beans (Image: supplied)

Betsy and Frazer have both worked in hospitality, managing local establishments including Penny Black and Relish in Hartford.

Betsy has also worked in childcare and Frazer has a history in finance and data analytics.

When Frazer and Betsy were looking to start their own business, they visited locations in big cities – London and Berlin – that had similar themed cafés.

Frazer said: “Having lived in Northwich for 15 years, we thought it would be great for Northwich and, since we’ve opened, our customers have loved what we offer.

“After our previous roles, we both felt this was the perfect opportunity to blend it all together with our hobby, creating a mash of family-friendly, fun board games and hospitality.”

There's always a warm welcome at Board Beans (Image: supplied)

Frazer added: “We are the first – and officially now - the best board games café bar in Cheshire.

“Our menu and games library are extensive, covering ages three to adult.

“We recommend games based on what people tell us they enjoy and we can teach customers how to play most of our games - we buy new ones regularly.”

But what do customers think about the venue? Why did they want Board Beans Café to win our latest Best of 2023 award?

One regular said: “Board beans gives a lot to the community in Northwich.

“They have wonderful coffee and food and a very pleasant decor but the warm welcome and fun atmosphere is the reason I love it and tell all my friends to go.

“They provide a lot of non-screen activities for children and they host board game evenings for people in the community to get together face to face.

“I know a lot of people whose loves are so much better for having this social hub, including myself.

“Plus the iced coffee is to die for.”

There are dozens of board games to play at Board Games (Image: supplied)

When Frazer and Betsy heard they’d made the shortlist for Best Café or Coffee Shop in Mid Cheshire they were surprised but honoured that their establishment, which has an usual take on the traditional café and coffee shop, had made the final stages of the competition.

Frazer said: “It’s such an amazing surprise to actually win.

“It’s hard to put into words the gratitude that we feel for all our fabulous customers who voted for us.

“Our customers are truly amazing.

“Over the past four-and-a-half years years we have gone through multiple closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic and then the energy crisis and the cost-of-living crisis.

“To be voted the Best Café in Mid Cheshire makes the struggle worth it.”

For more details go to facebook.com/Boardbeans

Fancy a sandwich and a quick game? (Image: supplied)