A DEDICATED couple gave up their careers to start a new venture allowing them to bring their children to work.

Alex and Jeanette Newton opened Nonsense coffee house and gift shop in Prestwich Village in order to spend more time as a family.

Alex, aged 33, gave up long hours working in television to make the dream a reality.

He said: “I was working in TV and when we had Lupe, aged three, and Coco, who is only nine months old, I was working away a lot and sometimes doing 14 hour days.

“It wasn’t working out so we had to really think of something we could do to involve the kids.

“The idea of this concept store was perfect, it’s a coffee shop with a gift shop too so people can have a hot drink and a slice of cake or just browse the toys, books and other bits we have.

“So far it’s worked out really well and we’re able to bring the children in most days.”

The store in Bury New Road adds to the selection of bars, restaurants and cafes in the area but Alex claims Nonsense offers something a bit different.

The father-of-two added: “A lot of places are family friendly and welcome children but sometimes you find you’re in these places with them and there’s not actually anything to keep them entertained.

“Here we wanted to be able to obviously bring our two little ones in and also have parents bring their children in so they can sit down and relax while their kids are occupied.

“We turned one of the walls in the coffee house into a huge chalk board and have a play area and book corner for kids to keep busy.

“The chalk board’s been a hit and they love drawing on it.”

Artist Jeanette designed the shop and believes that the £2.5 million redevelopment of the high street, which is due to start in January, will encourage even more shoppers into the village.

She said: “I think that having a more pedestrianised area will definitely encourage a lot more people into Prestwich, which is of course a great thing for the community and for the businesses.”