A POPULAR Earlestown café has been saved from the brink after a deal was struck for a local business-owner to take over the premises.

Poco Coffee, based in Market Street, announced at the beginning of October that it had taken the decision to shut up shop.

A post on the café’s Facebook page cited the “harsh economic reality” of the coronavirus pandemic and the extra restrictions that had impacted sales.

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But days later, the business announced that it would no longer be closing following an outpouring of support from the public and their landlord.

The future of the business was thrown into doubt once again though after it was forced to close last week as a result of the national lockdown, with a post on Poco’s Facebook page hinting that it may not make it through the lockdown.

On Monday, however, it was revealed that the café would be taken over by the Deli Group, which owns Newton Deli in Wargrave Road.

The news was announced by Newton Deli on Facebook yesterday, revealing the café will be rebranding as Kopi Coffee.

The business is aiming to be open for takeaway and delivery services from Monday, November 16, working with Just Eat, Uber Eats and St Helens Eats.

The Deli Group’s director, Marc Faulkner, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that all existing three staff members will be re-employed, and said they are also looking to recruit a driver to assist with deliveries.

He said an agreement with the business’ owners has been reached to temporarily license the Poco name until it has rebranded.

Kopi Coffee was inspired by the people of Java, in Indonesia, where the deli group source its coffee, with Kopi meaning coffee in Javanese.

Marc believes the business has potential to grow, and hopes to expand its food offer and open for those commuting on the train to work in the future.

One of the big reasons, he admits, was the strong response from the community when it announced it was closing back in October.

Marc said: “There’s plenty of potential there that’s not been exploited.

“They were there for ten years and have done well during that time, but I think it just needs to adapt and it’s time to breathe a bit of new life into in.

“I guess the publicity around it has helped as well. It wasn’t great that it was closing but that showed its value.

“The support from the community showed how valued it was.

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“If it hadn’t been for that I probably wouldn’t have got in touch with Richard and Cliff and say, let’s see if we can do a deal.

“The community love it, we’re very community focused in what we do with the Deli anyway, we try and work with the community all the time.

“So let’s try and save some jobs and avoid another empty shop on the high street.”