Three years after Stutter & Twitch moved into Stamford Square and saved many people’s sanity during the 2020 lockdown, the ‘Caravan of Love’ is moving on to a new patch in Sale.
The coffee and vinyl records caravan was opened by former musician Ryan Hayes in the square in the spring of 2020, providing a much-needed source of good music and takeaway drinks at a time when many other venues were shut due to Covid.
It has since proved a huge hit, helping to rejuvenate that part of the town centre and supporting the Stamford Quarter’s rebranding of the area to the Not So Secret Garden.
With the area set to undergo more transformation with the opening of the Foundation mixed-use development later this year, Stutter & Twitch has driven its caravan away for one last time.
Announcing the move on Instagram, Stutter & Twitch said: “Bit of an emotional one this one. After almost three years slinging out coffees and records in beautiful Altrincham, the ol’ caravan is off on its travels. We are as surprised as anyone that’s she can still move.
“It’s been on the cards for a little while now that Stamford Square is undergoing renovation works. It’s a shame, that place has become super important to us over the years, but it’s happening and the results will be ace.
“We love Alty. We’ve worked with some cracking people and had a blast. It’s where we met and has become our (literal) home and that’s not going to change any time soon. But! Things happen.”
The caravan will now be moving to Stanley Square in Sale, where other Altrincham success stories – including Idaho, Green and Grounded and Blanchflower – have opened outlets.
However, Stutter & Twitch added: “We still have the bar unit, coffee, music and hot dogs in the #NotSoSecretGarden for the forseeable, and you can find us doing tunes, brews and booze every weekend until they pull up the astroturf.
“AND Altrincham/Hale people can look forward to a new project in the summer too.”
Customers paid tribute to the role Stutter & Twitch had played during lockdown.
One said: “Will miss this van so much! I’ll never forget hearing you spin tunes Ryan at the start of lockdown. I thought I was gonna cry that there was something there to look forward to and a sense of normality in all the craziness!”
Another added: “Thanks for being our lockdown “go to” amidst the madness.”
James Tootle, Head of Retail & Leisure at Bruntwood who now jointly own the Stamford Quarter with Trafford Council, said Stutter & Twitch will continue to serve coffee, teas and hot dogs from Not So Secret Garden until the public realm works begin “in a few weeks’ time”.
He said: “Over the past three years we have worked closely with Ryan and the Stutter & Twitch team. It’s been a pleasure to give the caravan a home and support Ryan on his growth journey.
“Although we are sad to say goodbye to the caravan, until the public realm works begin in a few weeks time, Stutter & Twitch is still serving their artisan coffee, teas and hot dogs from the unit in the Not So Secret Garden.
“Ryan and the caravan have been an integral part of the transformation of Stamford Square so far, and we look forward to its return when the works are complete.”
