A COUPLE who gave up their jobs to become their own bosses have launched a new coffee shop in Halesowen.

Self-confessed coffee snob and former English lecturer Lindsey Mays and her husband Pete – who spent decades working in a foundry – have taken a leap of faith with their High Street venture ‘Coffee Calling’.

The family-run business, which offers free wi-fi and also has a private upstairs seating area that can be booked out, opened on January 3 with the aim of bringing professionally made coffee and cakes to the town.

Lindsey said: “I missed being my own boss and Pete was tired of working night shifts. We were both tired and stressed and we wanted to work together.

“I had wanted to open a coffee shop for years, concentrating on really excellent coffee, so we decided to take a leap of faith and both resigned from our jobs to pursue this venture.

“Following on from an almost endless time of researching, we finally settled on a fabulous coffee brand, a large selection of quality teas, cakes, cookies, frappes, fresh fruit smoothies, paninis, sandwiches and other snacks.

“We also sell a large range of gluten free products, which there seems to be a large demand for. Our milk and cream are sourced locally, as we firmly believe in supporting local farmers.

“Halesowen seemed to lack really good coffee shops, so we hope to fill that gap.”

The business will also be supporting people in need around Halesowen, with Lindsey adding: “Both Pete and I know, from personal experience, that life is not always easy and can throw up many obstacles.

“My last teaching job was working with people recovering from addictions in Birmingham. Homelessness went hand in hand with this.

“Twice a week, any leftover sandwiches from Coffee Calling are collected by ‘OM’, which is a Christian organisation situated near to the Zion Church, and this goes directly to the food bank to supply people in need around Halesowen.”

For more information about the shop, which is located opposite St John’s Church at 57 High Street, or to book the private seating area, call 0121 725 0992.