The new venue has been five months in the making
A dad and son have opened a new bistro that’s the latest addition to a development at the heart of a town’s regeneration. Nestled on Dolmans Lane in Warrington’s Time Square, Blossom Café is the brainchild of dad Fabio and son Kaya Okten, and has been five months in the making.
Owner Fabio used his years of experience in the hospitality industry to help bring manager Kaya’s vision to life. During the day, the business venture will operate as a brunch spot before transforming into a cocktail and tapas site in the evening.
Fabio, a 43-year-old dad-of-three, told the ECHO: “We want Blossom Café to be a space where locals can come together, enjoy a meal and spend time in the heart of Warrington.
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“This café is opened for my son; this is his. He’s very good to work with – he has so much passion and energy, so it is great to see. He loves it, and that makes me proud. Seeing all the hard work he has put into this place has been great. We did this together.
Fabio, originally from Turkey, has a wealth of experience under his belt. Since moving to the region 21 years ago, he has spent over a decade as an operations area manager for multiple chains, notably Piccolino.
He said: “The move to Warrington just kind of happened for us. I was working in my home country at a holiday resort and met lots of English people. After all the time I spent serving them, they became my friends, and we decided to move. It’s great here, we are happy.”
As part of its seven-day operation, the venue hopes to serve “classic and contemporary dishes”, including eggs benedict and English breakfasts, as well as a selection of small plates with global influences later in the day.
The café, which will also host live music, joins the growing collection of businesses in Time Square, Warrington’s go-to hub for shopping, dining, and leisure. The Square has played a key part in the town’s regeneration. It offers a mix of retail outlets, restaurants and entertainment, including a market hall and a Cineworld cinema.
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The destination reportedly saw an increase in visitors during May and June, with nearly two million visitors over an eight-week period. This was driven by events like Proms in the Square, Pride, and Krazy Races, which significantly boosted the footfall around the town centre.
Cllr Laura Watson, Cabinet Member for Economy, Growth and Quality Work, said: “It’s great to welcome Blossom Café to this thriving community, and we’re excited to see how it adds to the town’s growing food and drink offering.”