Key Points
- There will be an official launch of Owl Town, a caravan that offers vinyl, specialty coffee, and craft beer, in Altrincham over this weekend.
- The caravan can be found in New Market Square on Central Way near the Everyman Cinema and Altrincham Market.
- It is owned and operated by Lewis Kirk, a 50-year-old resident of Altrincham, who transitioned into an independent trader from his 25 years in television post-production.
- Stutter & Twitch was the former name of this caravan which gained popularity in Stamford Square during the COVID lockdown period.
- Mr. Kirk purchased the unused caravan from his previous owner Ryan Hayes and restored and repainted it within six weeks.
- Owl Town will be selling vinyl records that are new or used, Kickback Coffee, pastry from MOST Bakery, beers from Weekend Project and Black Jack Brewery.
- The official launch will take place on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, with DJ performances and also the presence of Walter the Eurasian eagle owl from Cheshire Falconry.
- Mr. Kirk hopes to open a permanent establishment similar to Japanese listening bars in the long term and within one to two years.
Altrincham (Manchester Mirror) October 22, 2026 — A caravan that once became a familiar part of Altrincham’s Stamford Square during the Covid pandemic has returned to the town centre under a new name, with a new owner and a renewed focus on vinyl records, coffee and craft beer.
As reported by David Prior of Altrincham Today, Owl Town will officially open this weekend in New Market Square on Central Way, opposite the Everyman Cinema and beside Altrincham Market. The venture combines speciality coffee, craft beer and a collection of new and second-hand records.
The opening marks the return of a caravan that previously operated as Stutter & Twitch. During lockdown, it became a popular destination for coffee, beer and music in Stamford Square, according to Altrincham Today.
Who is behind Owl Town?
Owl Town is the work of Lewis Kirk, a 50-year-old Altrincham resident who has lived in the town since 2012. As reported by Altrincham Today, Mr Kirk spent 25 years working in television post-production before moving into independent trading.
He said he was made redundant around a year ago and found freelance opportunities increasingly difficult to secure.
“In television the work is just drying up,” Mr Kirk told Altrincham Today. “I hadn’t worked for a while and I thought I’ve got to do something different.”
How did the caravan return?
Mr Kirk remembered the Stutter & Twitch caravan from its time in Stamford Square. After learning that its former owner, Ryan, still had the vehicle, he approached him about buying it.
The caravan had been unused on a farm, but still contained its original beer taps and coffee machine. Its former owner has since opened à bloc, a café in Hale.
Following a refurbishment and respray, the caravan returned to use in about six weeks.
“It’s all happened really quickly, to be honest,” Mr Kirk said, as reported by Altrincham Today. “It went from just talking about it a lot, and not thinking it would ever really happen, to in the space of about six weeks being sat here.”
What will Owl Town sell?
Owl Town will stock products from several local suppliers. According to Altrincham Today, these include Kickback Coffee, pastries from MOST Bakery, beers from Mobberley-based Weekend Project and a selection from Market House’s Black Jack Brewery.
The vinyl offer includes both new and second-hand records. Mr Kirk uses a specialist cleaning machine to restore older records before they are sold.
“I just like the idea that they could have ended up in landfill, but instead they’re being brought back to life,”
he told Altrincham Today.
When is the official launch?
Owl Town’s official launch takes place on Saturday 24 October and Sunday 25 October.
A DJ will perform from 2pm on Saturday. On Sunday, Cheshire Falconry will bring Walter, a Eurasian eagle owl, for photo opportunities between 1pm and 2pm.
Another DJ is scheduled to perform from 2pm on Sunday. Throughout the weekend, the caravan will offer craft beers, cider, Kickback Coffee and hot chocolate.
What are the plans beyond the caravan?
Mr Kirk has said he wants Owl Town to become part of Altrincham’s independent trading community.
“Everyone’s been so welcoming,” he told Altrincham Today. “It’s been great fun so far. Everyone’s just talking about music, drinking coffee, chatting to people.”
His longer-term ambition is to open a permanent venue inspired by Japanese listening bars, where customers can listen to records played on high-quality sound systems.
“Ultimately, my plan is to try and open a bricks-and-mortar place in maybe a year or two if this does well,” he said.
Background of the development
Stutter & Twitch was opened in Stamford Square in 2020 by former musician Ryan Hayes, according to Altrincham Today. It provided takeaway drinks and music at a time when many hospitality venues were closed because of Covid restrictions.
The business later expanded from its caravan into a permanent unit in Stamford Square, in partnership with Bruntwood Works and Trafford Council, as part of wider plans for the Stamford Quarter. The caravan remained in operation alongside the new premises, continuing to sell vinyl, coffee and food.
In 2023, the Stutter & Twitch team announced plans for à bloc, a neighbourhood café on Stamford Park Road in Hale. The café opened in September 2023, serving brunch, coffee, fresh bakes, craft beer and cocktails.
The caravan’s latest chapter as Owl Town places it in New Market Square, close to Altrincham Market and the Everyman Cinema.
Prediction: how this development can affect Altrincham residents and traders
For Altrincham residents, Owl Town adds another independent option in the town centre, particularly for people interested in coffee, beer and recorded music. Its location beside Altrincham Market may also encourage visitors to combine a market trip with a visit to the caravan.
For local traders, the venture could support the wider independent business network by stocking products from Kickback Coffee, MOST Bakery, Weekend Project and Black Jack Brewery. If the caravan attracts regular footfall, nearby businesses in New Market Square and Central Way may benefit from additional visitors.
For Mr Kirk, the weekend launch will provide an early indication of demand for a vinyl-led coffee and beer concept. His stated plan to open a permanent listening-bar-style venue within one to two years means the caravan could become a first stage in a larger Altrincham business.
