A new Millie’s Cookies store has opened in St Helens Church Square Shopping Centre, creating seven new jobs.
The store is run by brothers Mark and Paul Whibley, who already run an outlet in Bury and plan to open more in the region in the future.
They received more than 100 applications from local people who wanted to work in the new Church Square Shopping Centre store.
Millie’s Cookies assistant Poppy Nelson, on her first day at work, with Church Square deputy manager Margaret Jones
Mark said: “As well as baking fresh cookies all day every day, we will be serving up cup cakes, ice-creams, smoothies and shakes, hot chocolate, tea and coffee.
“We’ve already had a great response from people for the cookies and especially the ice cream, with the lovely sunny weather.”
Among those who have enjoyed sampling the ice creams is Church Centre manager Steven Brogan.
He said: “Millie’s Cookies is already proving very popular with our shoppers, as it expands the wide range of food outlets for customers.
“Also, I am delighted to see the hard work put in by Mark Whibley and his brother in opening this store, and it is good to see a local family doing so well.”
Mark and Paul learnt their catering skills at a young age, as their dad Ken was previously chef at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s official country retreat, and cooked for a host of international politicians and celebrities.
Mark added: “My dad, who also won International Chef of the Year, will be well-known to many in St Helens – as he taught catering at St Helens College, before he retired due to ill health.”
Mark also trained in catering at St Helens College, before going on to work in bar management – including The Assembly Club in the town, before setting up business with Paul.
Millie’s Cookies began in Selfridges food hall on London’s Oxford Street, and now has more than 108 stores across the UK, France, Germany, Egypt, Malta and even Hong Kong.
The store is the latest addition to Church Square Shopping Centre, with Fat Face and H&M opening within the last six months.
