Find out about Stourbridge's newest cafe in Victoria Passage

Jamie Cartwright and son Harrison have opened Stuffed by Cartwright in the former Buddy’s Café premises in the picturesque passageway off Stourbridge High Street.

The pair decided to launch the venture after Harrison, aged 30, of Cradley Heath, was furloughed and later made redundant during the coronavirus pandemic.

His father Jamie, who lives in Halesowen, said he's "always had an avid love of food" and during lockdown, when Harrison moved back home, he shared his skills with his son who was a hotel manager at Stourbridge's Premier Inn prior to losing his job in the Covid crisis.

Jamie, who runs his own flooring business - On All Floors in Halesowen, said it was during the lockdown that he and Harrison hatched their plan to set up their own café.

He said: "We looked around and noticed this and we really liked the feel of Victoria Passage and that it’s a bit off the beaten track. We wanted something quite unique and with a blank canvas so we could make it what we wanted."

The property, which had lain empty since before the pandemic, was "in a real mess" though, he said, adding: "We had to take it all back to brick and start again. We’ve done a full refurbishment – it’s a totally different place altogether now. We’ve spent £30,000 refurbishing the place, it’s all been done to a very high standard. It’s got quite a vintage, industrial, retro feel to it.

The new Stuffed by Cartwright cafe in Victoria Passage

"We only had three weeks to turn it around but we managed to get it done, working day and night.”

The new venture, which has free wifi and phone charge points, opened last Saturday May 22 and now Jamie and Harrison are trying to get the word out about what they've created.

Jamie said: It’s not just a typical café – everything we do is home cooked, all food is locally sourced. We have a Black Country menu which includes faggots and peas and Black Country burgers, we also have vegan options and healthy breakfast options such as smashed avocado.

“The feedback we’ve had from the public so far has been absolutely amazing."

Five new jobs have also been created with the opening of the new venture which is open from 8am to 3pm - Monday to Saturday.

To help encourage people to spend their money locally as businesses emerge from months of restrictions and closure - we have relaunched our Love Local Business campaign.

This follows our successful campaign, of the same name, which we ran in the News Group last summer and over Christmas.

The aim is to promote the fantastic traders we have in our towns and urge readers to give them their custom at this key time.

As part of the Newsquest publishing group, the Stourbridge News reaches a large percentage of the local population with its print publication, record online audiences and social media.

Businesses wishing to be featured in the campaign can call 01905 742372 or email dale.godliman@localiq.co.uk.