A little courtyard is set to open behind one of the stores along Stockport's ever-developing Underbanks. The suntrap, hidden at the back of Ginkgo Herbs & Health, is set to serve herbal teas and botanical mocktails, alongside healthy snacks.
The independent eco-lifestyle store, run by sisters Qayyah and Safiyyah Abdulla, has a focus on balance and wellbeing. The courtyard is set to open on Saturday, June 4, amid Stockport town centre's Jubilee street party. Ginkgo, located on Lower Hillgate, is part of a growing number of vibrant businesses transforming the old town, including neighbours Top of the Town Vintage, run by Sophia Rosemary, and new Bakery and Pottery Studio Yellowhammer.
The sisters will start by serving a range of teas in the outdoor space and hope to expand into serving a range of health-focused snacks, such as fruit protein balls and vegan chocolate shards - but with added health twists. This includes incorporating things like Adaptogens - herbs that help your body respond to stress - such as Ashwagandha or Rhodiola and medical mushrooms, such as Cordyceps and Lion's Mane.
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The pair are then aiming to open later in the summer evenings on set days, so they can welcome visitors with a selection of botanical mocktails. "We wanted to create an outdoor space where people could sip on a relaxing herb tea, with a healthy snack and just have a few minutes respite from their busy lives and enjoy a really chilled-out green space," says co-founder Safiyyah.
The shop already sells an extensive range of over 50 different types of teas that you can sample made up in-store. Many of their most popular blends are formulated by medical herbalist Qayyah, and are specifically focused on mental wellbeing.
Their most popular blend, 'A Moment of Calm' is made up of herbs including rose, lemon balm, passion flower and lavender. Qayyah was previously Associate Editor of the Journal of Herbal Medicine and ran clinics in London for several years before moving up to Manchester. She now formulates herb teas, tinctures and runs clinics for Ginkgo.
Throughout the pandemic, customers went to the store for help with natural approaches to stress, anxiety and sleep. "Being surrounded by plants and greenery can also be so powerful when it comes to mental health - we want the yard to be an escape for visitors, where they can get a few minutes headspace in a tranquil spot," adds Safiyyah.
Ginkgo's courtyard will be open from 11am on June 4, when they'll be serving free herbal teas all weekend. For more information, head to their website https://www.ginkgo.co.uk/
