A GROUP of friends has "clubbed together" to open a new Wirral cafe and bar promising "quality at a reasonable price".

The Nest, on Station Road in Thurstaston, occupies what was the Strawberry Moon Cafe and opened earlier this month. Prior to that, the team has spent the past few months refurbishing and decorating the new premises. 

The cafe has a team of ten staff, with plans to employ more over the summer months. 

Mark Maclean is head chef.  He last worked at the Queens bistro in castle street Liverpool.

Looking back on the cafe's origins, managing director Simon Boulton, 70, said: "We took it over at the beginning of the year and have been renovating it ever since. I have no background in hospitality at all, so this is all new to me.

"When we were talking about who would be directors of the company, it was decided that I would be managing director. I have some business experience, which should help.

"We are trying to provide a quality experience in nice surroundings. Hopefully, people will like what we do.

"Monty, who is the general manager with a background in catering, and I got together and decided that The Nest's focus is going to be quality at a reasonable price. 

"We source our eggs and whatever we can either locally or North Wales.

"We opened on March 6 and it's come together pretty smoothly, mainly because we have a good team that is very consensus-driven.

"For example, I'm managing director but I painted the floor in the kitchen and have been there working as kitchen porter.

"It's all hands on deck."

Director Angela Church said: "All the cooking is done from scratch, cakes are made in-house by Les Bell, who used to own Chantilly's in Hoylake. He's also helping us with our steak and ale pies. 

"We also have farmhouse breakfasts, traditional breakfasts, Eggs Benedict, Florentine. 

"We also have, for example, homemade scouse and homemade schnitzel."

And the feedback from the public has been positive so far.

Angela said: "We've had nothing but compliments so far. People are telling their friends and are coming back. We weren't even open five days and we've got regulars.

"They like the space, they like the ambience, they love the 'nesty feel', being situated in the countryside."

Outlining plans for the future, Angela added: "We have land outside the building which we plan to use for festival-type events and performances by live bands.

"We are offering Wirral people something in the country with freshly made from scratch food." 

The  venue is open seven days a week from 9.30am to 5pm and will be open longer in the summer months.