A cat cafe could soon be opening in the town centre, giving locals and visitors the opportunity to relax with furry companions in a cosy cafe setting.
Puss in Books is the creative idea of Scarlett Moyle, who said the plans have been in the pipeline for eight years.
She aims to open the cafe by the summer and hopes the premises will be located either in the town’s popular Cheap Street or iconic Catherine Hill.
“Puss in Books aims to create a space that combines the soothing presence of cats with a vegetarian menu that emphasises fresh ingredients from local West Country suppliers,” explained Scarlett.
Cat cafes have seen a boom in recent years, with many people enjoying the therapeutic benefits of being around the furry felines, something which Scarlett says she has lived experience of.
“After battling with mental illness for many years, I chose to uproot my old life and begin a mission of comfort and peace. Cats had always been a blessing in my life, cuddling up with me when I was low and making me laugh. I wanted to introduce a space into the community where people and cats could connect together to create memories and smiles,” she says.
As well as functioning as a cafe, the space may also include other activities such as ‘kitty yoga,’ ‘painting with cats,’ and afternoon teas.
“We also plan to offer free-to-read literature on our shelves, as well as fun and inclusive workshops such as SEN sessions and yoga,” says Scarlett, who adds that the cats will be rescue cats and will live in the cafe when the premises close at the end of the day.
To help fund the cost of looking after the cats, Scarlett has set up a fundraising campaign. “All of the money raised in the campaign will go towards the enrichment of the cats,” explained Scarlett.
She said, “Our cafe will be a cosy and inviting sanctuary for all, with welfare at its heart. But to be the best that we can be, we need the necessary funds.”
To visit the fundraising page, go to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/literature-cat-cafe-in-frome-puss-in-books
Pictured: Scarlett Moyle
