Someone buy this Penwortham deli - it's amazing and I wish I'd tried it sooner

The owners of Artisan Deli are reluctantly offering the Liverpool Road business for £124,950, owing to ill health and retirement plans.

It made me realise that, despite going in when it first opened and buying some fancy craft ales in there for my husband, I’d never actually sat in for food or drink. So that had to change.

On a wet and miserable Sunday, and on the last minute, three of us - and a dog - turned up, wondering what it would be like.

Immediately, out of the rain and cold, it was like stepping into a warm, welcoming cavern. I mean, it was packed, so that helped, but there were twinkling lights, wooden tables, quirky artwork on the walls, and hessian sacks lining the roof.

Our attention quickly turned to the menu. I’d heard about the grazing boards, but the weather called for something more traditionally comforting. I opted for the Bacon, Brie and Cranberry toastie (£10.95), my husband had the cheddar, sweet onion and ham toastie (£11.95), and my son had the kids cheese toastie (£6.95). They both had the luxury hot chocolate at £4.50 each, and when I saw a Bakewell Martini was on offer, I thought it would be rude to say no (£8.50). In total the bill was £47.25.

In fairness, there was plenty I could have fancied from both the food and drinks menu, including a Currywurst, a range of salads, sandwiches and the Artisan Deli Boards (but these are pre-order only as it turns out). On other tables I could see that there were cute little touches with teas coming with tiny timers as well, so you knew how long to brew for.

We waited a while for our drinks, but the staff were polite and courteous, and when the hot chocolates turned up, it was a ‘wow’ moment, with cream and marshmallows dangerously close to slopping off the edge of the large mug. My cocktail had been made with care - it even had the traditional bakewell start ridges on the top in pink syrup. It wasn’t as creamy as I’d have hoped for, but it was refreshing and in a lovely glass, which matters. It was sweet without being too much, and with the distinctive cherry and almong flavour. I’m guessing amaretto was in there, but in all honesty, I didn’t care, it was delicious.

But the main event were the toasties. I thought I’d be telling you all about the brie and bacon packing all the punches, but no, the star of the show- for all of us - was the rosemary bread. I don’t know what magic was done in that little back kitchen, but I’d go back again just for that. Clearly smothered in salted butter and then toasted, it was a triumph. A messy triumph, but there were plenty of napkins.

After just one mouthful, my husband declared “That’s special”, and we all agreed that the melted cheese, the generous fillings and absoluetly gorgeous hand-cooked salted crisps on the side were some of the best we’d ever had. And I am not one who is prone to false praise. I am one who pulls sandwiches apart and inspects, pulling barely-cooked rinds off fat from bacon. But I didn’t have to do that here. The utmost care had already been taken, and it was cooked beautifully.

The whole place seems to have been put together and executed with care and love. They’re clearly advocated of local produce too - with locally made drinks at every turn, and Lancashire cheese on the menu.

I truly hope that someone with the same attitude and skills can take over this little treasure and keep it alive in Penwortham.