A SMALL and cosy cafe has been a popular place for those in the know.

After working as a manager at the former Little Chef on the East Lancs, Alison Hems decided it was time for a change once the opportunity to take over an independent cafe came up.

Although the Oven Door cafe is tucked away inside George's Car Wash, also off the East Lancs, Alison and her team have been working hard to increase their reputation over the past seven years, as they aim to provide the best breakfasts and lunches for workers and residents around Haydock.

READ > 'It's been a labour of love': Business remains as top-rated restaurant after rebrand

Inside the cosy cafeInside the cosy cafe (Image: St Helens Star)
Although motorists may speed past the car wash unaware that the Oven Door is located on site, many workers from the nearby Haydock Industrial Estate frequent the cafe for their breakfast or lunch.

The cosy cafe, which has a few indoor tables along with a television and neon 'Oven Door' sign, prides itself on its hearty, cooked breakfasts and also provides weekend specials and a 'Mega Breakfast' box on Saturdays.

Oven Door's Mega BreakfastOven Door's Mega Breakfast (Image: Oven Door)
Despite being a small cafe, there are many other menu options such as sandwiches, burgers, toasties, burritos, rice boxes, and pasta pots, and the business also provides buffets for other organisations.

Alison's daughter Amy also bakes fresh cakes and cookies at the Oven Door, where customers can also enjoy coffees, teas, soft drinks, or milkshakes.

An example of some of Amy's freshly baked cakesAn example of some of Amy's freshly baked cakes (Image: Oven Door)
Alison, 60, from Blackbrook, said: "We have a lot of regular customers here, especially from workers on the industrial estate or people using the car wash.

"We also get a lot of delivery orders and have been really popular for business lunches or buffets.

"The price increases have been the most difficult thing over the past few years, but we try to keep things as affordable as we can.

"We are still getting new customers who didn't know we were here, although the council made us reduce our sign on the road, and I think they are surprised with how nice and cosy the cafe is."

Oven Door cafe, on the George's Car Wash site off the East LancsOven Door cafe, on the George's Car Wash site off the East Lancs (Image: St Helens Star)