Waterstones East Kilbride will celebrate the perfect match that is coffee and literature by launching their new café with a trio of “Coffee & Crime” events, local author book signings and a programme of family-friendly activities.
Scottish Thriller writers Michael J Malone, Alex Gray and Mason Cross will be discussing and signing copies of their books, and local authors Billy Maclean and 12 year old Amy Tucker will also visit Waterstones to sign copies of their books for shoppers.
Children’s favourites Maisy Mouse and Where’s Wally will also be in-store to meet young fans.
In addition, Customers who buy a book by any of the authors appearing at the Coffee and Crime events will be invited to enjoy a free hot drink of their choice in the new cafe.
The development of the café has been a labour of love for Bookshop Manager Gordon Alexander and his team of booksellers, who have taken great care in sourcing everything from crockery and glassware, to table settings and the best local produce.
Gordon said: “The creation of the café has been a very personal one for the booksellers here in East Kilbride. It’s been a joy to pick out our own fixtures and fittings and we have taken great care with the menu – it’s been a great privilege to be able to support local producers and businesses in this way.”
Freshly-baked bread from the renowned Cobbs Bakery on the shores of Loch Ness and cakes and tarts from Glasgow’s Big Bear Bakery are just some of the Scottish produce to be found on the menu at the new café.
Ian Pediani, who owns and runs the Hillington-based bakery with his small dedicated team, said: “We bake daily allowing us to provide delicious handmade goods to Waterstones for their customers to enjoy whilst relaxing with their favourite read.”
Cobbs Bakery will supply the café daily with fresh handcrafted bread and cakes baked according to traditional Highland recipes. Rory Cameron, MD of Cobbs Bakery, said: “Cobbs cakes hand baked on the shores of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands are absolutely delighted to be supplying a range of our award winning home baking to Waterstones in East Kilbride."
Kirkcaldy-based Fife Creamery will provide a range of Scottish produce including cakes and traybakes.
The café will offer triple certified coffee from Matthew Algie - approved by the Fairtrade Foundation, Rainforest Alliance and Organic Food Federation. Waterstones café will offer shoppers the perfect spot to champion Scottish produce whilst catching up over a coffee with friends and family or a favourite book.
