Humble Pie Coffee Shop owner battles coronavirus in intensive care

Neil Hawkins runs The Humble Pie Coffee Shop in the town centre with wife Sarah and a team of staff.

The cafe opened on Saturday, July 4 after lockdown with extensive Covid-19 safety measures in place.

Neil fell ill after work on the Wednesday and was rushed into Leighton Hospital two days later with breathing difficulties. The 50-year-old is now in intensive care.

Sarah, 44, daughter Alicia, 19, and several members of staff also tested positive but are now making a good recovery. Their 15-year-old son was the only member of the family who tested negative.

Sarah immediately closed the cafe the following morning.

"We have been having an absolute nightmare," said Sarah. "When we got home on Wednesday it hit him like a brick. He is never ill, he is always fit and healthy so it came as a terrible shock.

"A doctor phoned an ambulance because of his breathing and he was blue lighted to hospital.

"Neil is in intensive care receiving the best treatment. He is quite poorly but is making slow and steady progress. He was put on a drug trial last Saturday.

"He is the only one in intensive care with Covid, he has the ward to himself.

"The most frustrating part is that I am not able to visit him. Today I could not talk to him on the phone as he gets very out of breath."

Neil is so grateful for the excellent care he is receiving he wants to thank doctors and nurses when he recovers.

"When we're back open, Neil wants to give all NHS staff 50 per cent off forever," said Sarah.

Sarah and her family have been inundated with support from staff and customers.

"Our customers are amazing, we're just one big family," said Sarah.

The couple left full time jobs two years ago to start their dream business.

Sarah worked as a teaching assistant at St Nicholas Catholic High School, supporting children with special needs. Neil was a graphic designer for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.

They bought the coffee shop from Pete Davies who was retiring.

"Pete built it up over 25 years into a successful business," said Sarah. "Some of the original staff are still here and taught us how to run it. We absolutely love it.

"We get on with the staff amazingly well, such a good bunch of girls. They go above and beyond all of the time. The support we have had from staff has been amazing. We love the staff, love the customers and have a great laugh."

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Meticulous Covid-19 safety precautions were in place when the coffee shop reopened.

"During lockdown we gave the shop a complete makeover," said Sarah. "It is something we always wanted to do but we hit the ground running when we opened and never had a chance. It is now fresh and modern, all Neil's influence.

Humble Pie Coffee Shop had a modern makeover during lockdown designed by owner and graphic designer Neil Hawkins

"We have hand sanitisers, staff wear masks and gloves and we deep clean tables between customers. Toilets are cleaned every 30 minutes. We take staff temperatures when they came in.

"We just did the absolute best we could and still managed to get it."

To boost business during lockdown, the coffee shop introduced home deliveries of breakfast boxes and afternoon teas.

Humble Pie Coffee Shop started delivering afternoon teas in a box during lockdown and they went down a storm

"Afternoon teas went down an absolute storm," said Sarah. "Breakfasts were also very popular."

Breakfasts in a box also proved very popular

Following the success of their delivery service, they have teamed up with UberEats and plan to launch a live app.

The cafe is being deep cleaned on Wednesday and Sarah hopes to reopen on Friday with support from her dedicated staff.

Homemade favourites at the coffee shop include fish and chips, chilli, curry, pies and omelettes

"Customers love our coffee shop," she said. "It is a sanctuary where people come and have a chat. It is really community led.

"It is going to be a very long recovery for Neil but I know he is safe and well. Physios have started working with him which is a positive sign.

"He is not out of the woods yet. Hopefully he keeps going and keeps fighting."

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