"We really want people to come and feel they belong here," Dudley coffee shop boss says as new venture launches to bring the community together

Amy Austin White, aged 32, from Wolverhampton, has opened Austin's Coffee shop in a landmark building in the High Street.

Located inside Provision House - a Christian charity hub which provides community support for people experiencing poverty - the new coffee shop has expanded out of Hebrews Coffee, a sister company that has spent four years supporting churches and charities with coffee, equipment, and pop-up coffee shops with a focus on community and service.

Being part of Provision House, which supports individuals who have faced challenges such as domestic violence, poverty, homelessness and modern slavery, is "an honour"  - Amy said - adding: "When the opportunity came to open our first permanent shop, we couldn’t say no."

The 32-year-old from Wolverhampton is running the venture with a little help from her husband Greg, aged 35, who works in the coffee industry. 

She, however, is in charge and has curated the menu which includes a range of hot drinks, coolers, cakes and sandwiches. 

The couple's five-year-old son Zechariah, has also played a big role in the launch - 'cutting the ribbon' on opening day on Monday June 30.

Amy expressed her delight with the launch, saying: "It's been fantastic - we've had lots of local familiar faces in and some new faces."

The coffee shop will be open from 9 am to 2pm on weekdays and Amy plans to host networking events and provide a meeting space for groups, including a crafting club.

She told the Express & Star: "We just really want people to come and feel they belong here - like they're a part of something."

The venture will also offer barista training to give people facing barriers to employment the chance to build skills and take steps towards work in the hospitality industry.

Carl Cadman, a senior manager at Provision House, said of the new business: “I think it’s going to bring life to this part of the High Street. It’s great for us at Provision House, it’s bringing more people into the building and there’s lots of coffee here.”

The art deco style Provision House building has stood prominently in Dudley High Street since 1939.

It was originally designed for the Midlands Cooperative Society as its flagship department store. It later became an indoor market hall and then home to Blunts shoes, before standing derelict for several years. 

Provision House took on the iconic looking property in 2019 and currently employs around 15 full-time staff, with a team of about 30 volunteers.