Blue Banana milkshake bar a hit on high street
Colourful cupcakes and milkshakes are creating a bit of a stir in Brownhills thanks to a new family enterprise that has opened its doors in the town.
The owners of the new Blue Banana cafe say they have been rushed off their feet since welcoming their first customers at the end of last month.
It specialises in baking cupcakes, shaking up milkshakes, cake decorating classes, afterschool clubs and birthday parties.
Proprietor Lisa Walters set up the High Street shop with the help of two of her children Amy, 19, and son Henry, 17.
They came up with the idea for the project after moving to the area from Kent two years ago.
"My daughter and myself used to work in a cake shop and we have baked for years. Where we lived previously there was also a popular milkshake shop and when we came to Brownhills we saw there was a gap in the market.
"There is a teenaged market for the milkshakes while the families with young children like the cupcakes. People in the area are looking for activities that they can do with their children without having to travel to places like Birmingham. We've also got the advantage of having parking spaces here," Mrs Walters, 48, says.
There is a dedicated birthday party corner at the premises with wall art designed by young artist Adam William Turner.
In addition Blue Banana offers parent and toddler cupcake decoration sessions and afterschool sessions are proving popular with older children.
The team also have a gluten free and dairy free menu to cater for customers with food allergies.
The doors are open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5.30pm, Saturdays from 10am to 5.30pm and party bookings are available on Sundays.
"We've had a very good response so far. We're getting a lot of footfall even though we're based at the top end of the High Street. We've also got plans to set up a coffee morning for senior citizens," the mother-of-six adds.
Work is also under way for its website www.bluebananacakecompany.com
