We've worked with the biggest names but this is our last shot

The owners of Ma & Ja Cafe, Marek Malinowsky and Jan Spolarzyk (Image: Liverpool ECHO)

"This is our last shot; if we don’t get more customers, that's it." It's a straightforward sentence, but one that carries with it a world of meaning for Marek Malinowsky and Jan Spolarzyk. The seasoned chefs swapped the fast-paced world of high-end London restaurants to create the first "artisan" cafe in an industrial town - and they admit it's not been easy.

Founded by the two seasoned chefs, Ma&Ja's is a "celebration of craft, comfort, and community." Tucked away in Albert Square , the team prides the venue on being the industrial town’s first café of its kind. They recently celebrated its first birthday, having initially opened in October 2024.

However, as the team explained to the ECHO , Ma&