Latest News & Events

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Delighted to report that the Spotty Blue Teapot is now officially the most family friendly place to eat on Merseyside, according to a Netmums public poll:  http://www.netmums.com/merseyside/places-to-go/vote-for-your-favourite-place-to-eat-out.

We scooped over 30% of the vfor all 9 venues - more than double our closest challenger!

Many thanks to all who voted for us and indeed nominated us in the first place :-)

We raised nearly £200 for children in Need and had loads of fun in the process - many, many thanks to our customers and all those who helped us raise nearly £200 :-)

Merseyside Mum and entrepreneur, Liz Whaling, has earned herself a place in the national final of the Mumpreneur Awards, an annual ceremony aimed at celebrating parents throughout the UK who manage the difficult task of juggling business with family life.

The Wirral mother of 2 opened The Spotty Blue Teapot - a healthy-living tea-rooms, gift shop, internet café and children’s creative play and party venue that is open 7 days a week - in Hoylake, Wirral earlier this year, having “spotted” a gap in the market:

“We cater for all ages and tastes, however as a parent myself, I was aware that children and parents with toddlers aren’t always made to feel welcome, let alone catered for.  And so the vision was born - to create a chic, child-friendly tea-rooms that would serve delicious, healthy, home-cooked food and cakes, and provide the best of both worlds - somewhere fun with learning activities to keep the little ones creatively entertained, while parents and other adults can eat and relax in style.”

Liz has been short-listed for the Best Start Up Award, sponsored by Yell, open to businesses launched since April 2010 and will be given to the finalist who has managed to create the biggest impact in the shortest space of time. Having only launched The Spotty Blue Teapot in April, Liz hopes to she has what it takes to walk away with the prize.

“We get brilliant feedback every day, have already been voted the best breast-feeding venue on the Wirral by Mums via the NHS, and become something of a wider destination in our own right, attracting both local regulars as well as new customers from right across the country, which is great for Hoylake and the wider region.”

In addition to being short-listed for this category, Liz is also in with a chance of winning the title of Inspirational Business Mum 2011, sponsored by Intuit, which will be awarded to the person who is an inspiration to all women in business, and could walk away with a fantastic prize package including a family holiday at Haulfryn's Devon Hills.

Asked about the recipe for her success, Liz commented ”Our focus is very much on providing exceptional quality, customer service and attention to detail in all that we do. Thus most of our food is locally sourced, we do gluten-free options, have developed our own range of branded goods, offer free Wi-Fi, host storytime and other events, and even have steps and a platform up to the main counter so little ones can feel important, see what's going on, and even order!”

Judging Liz’s entry will be a panel of top entrepreneurs, including BBC Dragon Duncan Bannatyne, but she'll have to wait until 25th September, when the winners will be announced at the Mumpreneur Conference, sponsored by Yell and DHL Express, being held at the Heart of England Conference Centre in Warwickshire.

Having reached the finals of The Mumpreneur Awards, Liz said “I am thrilled and honoured that The Spotty Blue Teapot’s achievements so far have been recognised, and I'm really excited to see if I've won the award, not least on behalf of my great customers and fantastic staff!”

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We have just been voted the best breastfeeding venue on the Wirral by local Mums via the NHS breastfeeding support scheme! Thank you to all who voted for us - it means a great deal and we're very proud - please tell your friends!