Popular Lockside Cafe reopens in Walsall amid multi-million refurbishment of Saddlers Centre
A Walsall cafe run by a Black Country TikTok star has reopened after being forced to close on Boxing Day.
The Lockside Cafe, which moved to the Saddlers Centre last October, was forced to close due to the multi-million pound refurbishment of the town centre shopping centre.
Matt Lemm, who also works at The Lockside Steakhouse in Wollaston, reopened the cafe on Monday.
He said: "The refurbishment of the Saddlers Centre is going to be great for Walsall. However, for the cafe the construction work was a nightmare. But to see so many regular customers come back on our first day was amazing.
"The cafe reopening has been a long time coming, at the moment we are the only open unit down our end. But they are moving every shop upstairs downstairs so it will be great for us."
Matt had special praise for his staff, who have returned behind the grill after the cafe's closure.
He said: "Our staff, led by the brilliant Katie, is what makes the Lockside Cafe such a special place and I'd like to thank them and Walsall Council for getting us back open."
The cafe is open seven days a week from 9am to 2pm,, and offers a full English breakfast for £5.50 and a Sunday lunch for £10.50.
Darlaston born Matt helped open the first Lockside Cafe before Covid and due to its success led to the launch of the Lockside Steakhouse, Enville Street, and his social media videos, which have clocked up millions of hits, and is proud to be part of an independent business.
He said: "We know the chains which are part of every town centre but the Lockside Cafe and Steakhouse are independent and use local suppliers, and I think that is why we people come and support us. Just like if I go to a town I will always spend my money at an independent place."
