AN "UPMARKET" cafe named after the tribe that founded the village it sits in has become a hugely popular location on the edge of the borough.
With Billinge founded around 550AD by a historic tribe named the Varini, a couple of rugby players-turned-business owners paid homage to this by naming their new coffee shop after them almost 1,500 years later.
Launching on Rainford Road in 2020, the cafe has become a "very busy" venue as customers travel from far and wide to try their speciality coffee and their mouth-watering breakfast and brunch menu.
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With former rugby player Paul Ballard taking over the business in January, the team is now looking to build on their successes and expand the Varini into a tapas-style restaurant in the evenings.
As Paul also runs The Old Band House in Ashton-in-Makerfield, he is aiming to operate the Varini in a similar vein and offer a wide selection of high-quality, small-plate tapas meals.
To assist with this goal, the Varini has applied to St Helens Council for an alcohol licence to allow them to serve a glass of wine, beer, or cocktail with their meals.
Paul said: "We see ourselves as an upmarket cafe where you can come for some really nice brunch.
"We get a lot of repeat customers and get very busy, so we know we're doing something right.
"But I feel like we can do even better, and that the business is only operating at 40% of its potential.
"I think that moving towards a high-quality tapas restaurant in the evenings, in the same style as the cafe is now, will be good for the business and good for the village."
With thousands of followers on social media, word of mouth has helped the Varini gain a reputation as a must-visit venue in the borough, despite the challenges of launching just after lockdown and the ongoing cost of living crisis.
And with many positive reviews for their brunch options, Sunday roasts, and changing specials, Paul aims to push the Varini's reputation even further with a high-quality evening menu that is "ready to go" if and when their alcohol licence is approved.
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