Lau Costantini, the owner of Movida in Hughenden Yard, is turning what has traditionally been a café and nightclub into so much more. “I like the idea of family community space,” Lau told marlborough.news. “I’m trying to plug a few gaps in what Marlborough has to offer and to offer activities to suit all age groups. My motto is ‘From our family to yours’.”
Every weekday from 10.30 to 3pm parents with small children can meet in the upstairs space for coffee and/or lunch while the children can run around and enjoy the toys on offer. “Parents don’t have to worry about the children disturbing other customers and there’s an entrance from the car-park to the upstairs level and space to leave the prams/pushchairs as well.”
As an ex dancer, Lau is also running Zumba classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9.15 am and 6.30 pm at £5 a session.
The nightclub is open every Saturday from 11.30 pm to 3 am and attracts a young crowd. So Movida is offering an evening for the 35+ age-group on the last Friday of every month. “The music on offer will be different from Saturday night’s and it’s a chance to have a drink and dance for an hour or two. Everybody loves dancing.”
Called VIP Party, the evening will be by invitation only on Friday October 25th. Those wishing to participate can email Lau for an invitation on movidamarlborough@yahoo.com.
The upstairs space can also cater for parties for up to 180 guests. Bookings are being taken for Christmas parties. It is also possible to hold children’s parties and discos in the space.
The café, open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 3pm now offers vegan, veggie, gluten-free and dairy-free options. Lau describes the food on offer as ‘comfort food’ and as a native French speaker with a Chilean husband she has added a few international dishes to the menu such as the Chilean breakfast with avocado, bread and bacon.
The café is dog-friendly and customers may meet Pepper, the dog, who as part of the family is also tri-lingual in French, Spanish and English!
On the second Friday of every month the café will turn into a piano and gin bar. Bobby Hathaway, international pianist and ex member of ELO is resident pianist. This Friday, October 11 is the next piano and gin bar evening, starting at 7pm.
Movida will also continue its partnership with Sound Knowledge, providing a space for visiting bands and musicians, most recently hosting Scouting for Girls. On Thursday October 31, local band, Geneva will be playing for Halloween.
On October 17 there will be a classic movie night in the café. Showing ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’ – entrance will be free. Customers will be able to buy drinks and at future movie evenings Lau hopes to offer tapas.
“All my staff are very committed and will give you a warm welcome,” says Lau. “We hope that when you don’t know what to do you might think – ‘Oh Movida might have something.’”
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