A Lichfield business owner known for bringing a taste of Italy to the city has praised Shire House for its growing role in connecting local people and independent businesses.
Alison Ranwell, founder of popular Italian deli and café Mangia Mangia, recently visited Shire House on Birmingham Road, as part of its Coffee Conversations series, an initiative designed to bring together business owners, creatives and members of the community in an informal, welcoming setting.
The series is fast becoming a focal point for collaboration in the city, offering a space where ideas, experiences and support can be shared.
For Alison, whose own business has become a much-loved part of Lichfield since opening in May 2021, the visit highlighted the importance of those connections.
“Meeting at Shire House and tasting the wonderful barista-made coffee is proof that support from other independents is alive and well,” she said. “Across Lichfield, we champion each other and for me, that’s the icing on the cake.”
Originally from Cape Town, Alison’s journey into business has taken her from London to northern Italy, where she met her husband Francesco and was inspired by a culture centred on food, family and community.
That ethos now underpins her own deli, which combines authentic Italian produce with locally sourced ingredients from Lichfield traders and suppliers. It has also become known for its community-focused initiatives, including long table lunches designed to bring people together.
Her visit to Shire House reflects a growing movement among Lichfield’s independent businesses to collaborate rather than compete, something the Coffee Conversations series actively encourages.
“There’s a real sense of connection here,” Alison added. “We’re not just businesses operating side by side we’re supporting each other, collaborating, and helping create something special for the city.”
Shire House’s role in fostering those relationships is becoming increasingly significant, providing a hub where conversations turn into ideas and ideas into action.
As Alison continues to grow her own brand, through projects such as her Italian Way blog and recipe book Appetito, she remains a strong advocate for that shared approach.
“In a world that can feel quite disconnected at times, those relationships really matter,” she said. “They help create the kind of place people want to visit and stay.”
