Cozy Seven on Shirley Road hosts Mother's Day afternoon tea

Cozy Seven on Shirley Road, which was named the Daily Echo's Café of the Year in 2024, opened its door to families today for a special Mothering Sunday celebrations.

Mums were welcomed with prosecco upon arrival as the day to night café celebrated between 4pm and 6pm.

Some 33 people booked in for the afternoon tea, with manager Lisa Aldridge admitting that they have had to begrudgingly refuse some family's custom.

READ MORE: Coffee shop and bar Cozy Seven opens in Shirley, Southampton

"We've even had to turn people away because of the capacity here," the 50-year-old said.

Mother's Day afternoon tea at Cozy Seven. (Image: Cozy Seven)

"We had already ordered the cakes, we just couldn't do anymore which was a shame.

"Mother's Day is special isn't it, you want to treat your mum and make them feel special, they do so much for us. It's just nice to mark the occasion."

Afternoon tea at Cozy Seven. (Image: Cozy Seven) A selection of speciality teas and treats were on offer, alongside sandwiches, savoury bites like scotch eggs and sweet treats of cakes and brownies.

Cozy Seven warmed up for the event by holding a "seven wonders" party on Friday night, where local bands played some country music for an evening event.

The 60 seater venue is owned by local entrepreneurs Mark Dunham and Simon Shobande, known as Shane, and opened in September 2024.

Manager Lisa Aldridge, right, standing with barista Lily Smallman, left. (Image: Newsquest) Manager Lisa said that the café and staff are now settled having been open seven months, and the focus has now shifted to "doing something a little bit different".

READ MORE: Cozy Seven in Shirley to host Mother's Day afternoon tea

The café wants to eventually introduce quiz nights and cheese boards.

Inside Cozy Seven on Shirley Road. (Image: Newsquest) She said: "We've got lots of regulars who really like the atmosphere. People are saying the place is helping Shirley, as well as other places up the road here like Overdraft.

"We've got really lovely people coming now and we know their names and what they're drinking, it's lovely to have that support.

"Obviously we've still got people coming in who are new, but we want to focus on events now and just keep doing something a little bit different that other people aren't doing."

Lisa, who has lived in Southampton for the last 20 years, said her favourite part was "just to see the mum's faces to see how appreciative" they would be.