INTERVIEW: Morecambe's first bubble tea cafe will close after four years

Morecambe's bubble tea cafe overlooking the Bay will close at the end of the summer due to lack of trade.

The Bay Double Bubble, owned by couple Magda and Chris Szczerba, opened in 2021 at 236 Marine Road Central.

The Bay Double Bubble is Morecambe's first cafe specialising in bubble tea, a fruity tea-based drink with chewy tapioca bubbles which pop in the mouth.

The cafe also sells crepes, waffles, ice cream, sandwiches, bagels and breakfasts.

After a promising start, Magda, also known as Maggie, said trade soon became challenging, particularly when their neighbours were forced to move out.

LISTEN to our interview with Maggie Szczerba

Maggie and her husband Chris have lived in Morecambe from 11 years.

Originally from Poland, they worked in London in hospitality for many years, Chris working in Gordon Ramsay's restaurants.

They always had a dream to run their own business and four years ago, decided to open The Bay Double Bubble on Marine Road Central, near the corner of Skipton Street.

Next door business The Bayside Emporium antiques centre, and nearby firms The Consult Centre social media agency and Bays Bikes bike shop, all moved to new premises after their buildings were earmarked for a new hotel.

But the hotel plans fell through, leaving those premises empty, which Maggie said was "a big letdown" for The Bay Double Bubble and left the cafe "on a dead end".

Below, the buildings near to The Bay Double Bubble

"The first two years were brilliant, we loved it," said Maggie.

"Unfortunately, after two years, the situation changed for us. We lost our neighbours and last year summer wasn't the greatest.

"We believe the council could do a bit more to help local businesses because Morecambe is quiet on a daily basis. It's not a steady flow and it's very difficult to predict your earnings.

"We were hoping to stay but at the moment we find the shop not very profitable. There are not enough tourists or trippers in the town.

"So we decided that we have to shut the shop down. 

"It's really sad although not disappointing, as our dream came true. But we want to let people know that probably in the next two months, the shop won't exist any more after summer."

Maggie said that customers who collect the shop's loyalty points cards still have time to redeem them, and she is "very grateful" for everybody who supported them.

Read more: EXCLUSIVE: New hotel on Morecambe Prom "not going ahead" after sale talks collapse - Beyond Radio

She also said delays to the long-awaited Eden Project Morecambe, planned for the central Promenade not far from the cafe, also had an impact.

When The Bay Double Bubble first arrived, the £100m visitor attraction was due to open in 2024, but is now looking at a late 2028 opening date.

Below, a CGI image of the planned Eden Project Morecambe

"It was a huge 'wow', it will improve things for Morecambe, I was really keeping my fingers crossed that it will bring the (visitors) that all the businesses along the Prom need to keep on going, as we see more and more businesses shutting down, which is really sad," she said.

"By 2024 we were expecting to see those massive waves of people in our shop, but it's been delayed.

"I keep my fingers crossed that it will come to Morecambe, as it might improve life for the people. Unfortunately we won't be here to face it as a business."

Below, The Bay Double Bubble

Maggie said she and Chris "had a project in mind" for the future and will keep everyone informed if it's finalised.

"I'm trying to tell all my customers that we might go, and some of them say they really will miss us and they will follow us, so maybe Lancaster," she said.

"But we will see."

She also had a message for Morecambe residents - use local businesses or you might lose them.

"I would like to encourage people to go and visit local places because it's really really important for them to have you," she said.

"Try what they have to offer. There are plenty of places in Morecambe with a lot to offer. I think people should support the (businesses) in the town as they make a huge effort to keep the town going."