New Whitworth venue Lillie's to serve kindness alongside cocktails with 'Be Kind' initiative

A new Whitworth hospitality venue is planning to put kindness at the heart of its bottomless brunches by passing anonymous handwritten messages of encouragement from one guest to the next.

Lillie's, which is preparing to open in Whitworth, says its ambition has always been to create more than simply somewhere to enjoy cocktails, food and company. Its owner wants customers to leave feeling a little happier than when they arrived.

That idea has now developed into the venue's new 'Be Kind' initiative.

Every guest attending a Bottomless Brunch will be welcomed with a signature Lillie's cocktail and a sealed Be Kind envelope waiting at the table. Inside will be a handwritten message from a previous guest containing words of kindness, encouragement, positivity or support. The messages will be completely anonymous.

Each envelope will also contain a fresh piece of Lillie's stationery. While waiting for food, guests who want to participate can write their own anonymous message for somebody attending a future brunch. There is no obligation to take part.

The new note will be placed back into the envelope and passed on to another customer at a later brunch, while guests can take the message they received home with them.

The owner originally considered creating a communal 'Be Kind Box' from which anybody feeling low could select an anonymous uplifting message. Concerns that an unrestricted box might not always be used in the positive spirit intended led to the more controlled table-envelope idea instead.

The concept is based on a simple recognition that people rarely know what somebody else may be dealing with behind the scenes and that a small act of kindness, including a few thoughtful words from a stranger, can sometimes make a significant difference to someone's day.

Lillie's says the initiative is its own small way of spreading kindness one message at a time, built around the message: 'In a world where you can be anything, be kind.'

The initiative will launch as part of Lillie's Bottomless Brunch offering when the Whitworth venue opens.

Alcohol is for adults aged 18 and over. Please drink responsibly.