MEET Sam, the new owner of the coffee shop housed inside of St Helens Book Stop, who is bringing a touch of music to the business, while offering the flavour we’ve all come to love.

When Two Brothers announced earlier this year that they would be leaving the community-led bookshop on Bridge Street, the community was saddened by the news.

However, its former manager has stepped in to become the new owner of the coffee shop.

The Chorus - it's all about working together

St Helens’ own Sam Rughoo is transforming the décor of the place into a guitar and music sport while maintaining the coffee house for all to enjoy.

Sam, 27, who will be rebranding his part of the venture as Chorus from November 2, said: “I was the manager at Two Brothers and was really sad when the owners of that decided not to renew their lease, loads of people have come in convinced it was already closed and I thought I’d take it over instead.

“I really believe in the message behind The Book Stop, it’s all about community, hence the name of the coffee side being Chorus, as it’s all about working together.

“The coffee side of things remains exactly the same, I’m still getting coffee from Two Brothers and the seating will have a few more tables than now to cater to the need but essentially the change with be decoration and the music side which will be 30 per cent of the business offering – the focus will still be coffee.”

Sam from the town centre has been a session musician, working in retail as well as music shops and is in a band, so music is a big part of his love and life.

Guitars and records

The former Cowley pupil said: “As well as new signage my plan is to get up to eight or 10 refurbished guitars on the wall that can be for sale, offer alterations and guitar MOTs basically to everyone who needs it and sell up to 200 or so records at the back of the coffee shop too.

“Eventually when more established we’ve got plans to offer our services in the space upstairs in The Bookstop which is in the work now as well as doing music classes for adults in the future.

Inside the store  (Image: St Helens Book Stop)“St Helens has plenty to offer, but to my knowledge there aren’t many – if any – music shops left offering these things, so if I can continue to serve coffee to people in the community space they love while also offering something else then I’m hoping people can come and enjoy it.

“Even if it’s just to have a coffee and listen to different kinds of music that will be played in store.”

Work in harmony

Nik Lowe, manager of The Book Stop said: “From our point of view Sam’s idea of what to do in the Bookstop with Chorus is fantastic, it combined literature and the art we already sell on the walls with music and community and that’s amazing to us.

“Sam is great and we can’t wait to see what he does with the coffee side of things and we can work in harmony with him.”