Staff taking on 120-year-old tearoom in Cannock
A tearoom in Cannock which has stood for more than 120 years has been given a new lease of life.
George and Berties was due to close on Saturday after its owners announced their retirement.
The Market Hall Street tearoom will now stay open after two members of staff agreed to carry on the business.
Staff members Penny Allman and Sally Harvey, who have worked in the shop for 21 years combined, will take over the shop on Monday.
Penny said: “I’ve worked for the Taylors for the past 16 years and my colleague has worked for them for six.
“We’ve decided to have a go ourselves so we’re taking on the coffee shop.
“It’s such an iconic place. People know George and Berties and because we’ve worked for the company for more than 20 years between us, they’ve let us keep the name as everyone has heard of it.
“We thought that it was worth the gamble.
“We’re going to put our heart and soul into it so we hope the public will come and support us really.
“It will be nice for the Taylors to see something started by their grandparents continuing.
“It’s nice and historic and people have heard of it. We went away, thought about it and went to see them and see what deal could be made and see what we can do.
“We thought we didn’t want to walk away from it and we decided to take it forward.
“It also enables us to keep some of the jobs.
“We know the food side, but it’s a learning curve for us to do the payroll.”
The shop will close during the Easter weekend when it will be revamped, with a new interior, menus and WiFi on offer.
Denise Carr, manager of Taylors, confirmed the restaurant would be closing down.
She said: “We actually close for business this Saturday. George and Berties are closing down but one of the managers has taken over and they will carry on trading the following week.
“We all are sad. We’ve been here a very long time.”
