Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A cafe owner is making sure the people of Paisley aren’t lonely by opening on Christmas Day.

Jen McKay, who owns Malatso in Paisley High Street, has decided to open up the cafe this Friday – and is inviting along anyone who is on their own or who can’t afford a Christmas meal.

She’s paying for everything out of her own pocket and has been astounded by the generosity of her customers and fellow Paisley businesses since she announced the idea on Facebook last weekend.

Jen said: “I’ve always thought about doing this and I thought I’d left it too late this year, but I just decided to go for it.

“Christmas for me is just like any other day. I don’t have any kids or anything so I spend it with my mum, we have a meal and then fall asleep in front of the TV. This year will be a lot different and we’re looking forward to it.”

Within just a few hours of sharing a post on Facebook explaining her idea, it had been seen by 20,000 people.

Jen said: “What I love about Paisley is that everybody either has asked to donate money or food for the meal.

“Some people have even asked if they can come along and help on the day and others have donated money. I’ve been inundated with stuff which has been fantastic. My food company has given me a discount on the food as well which is all I was hoping for really.

“I always knew Paisley was full of people with a strong community spirit but when you’re doing something like this it’s amazing to see.”

De Beers is donating a couple of bottles of wine, Eigen has handed in some Yankee Candles as gifts to give away, the Wee Howff has said they’ll buy a turkey and other businesses have also pledged to help.

Jen is promising a three-course meal with soup, roast turkey and a dessert. Charlene from RockUs Community Choir will be popping in at 3pm to sing some carols and a couple of members of staff and some of her friends have promised to come along and help out.”

“Some people are sitting on Christmas Day with nobody and that breaks my heart,” said Jen.

And Jen’s 80-year-old mum Pat McKay has also vowed to be there.

“I’ve always thought about my mum and what she’ll do on Christmas Day if I do this but when I told her she said she’d be down for the whole day,” Jen said. “She’s absolutely over the moon”

Jen said the meal will be informal and people would be welcome whenever they can make it along. She plans to open at around 12.30pm on Christmas Day and has enough space to sit 40 people at once.

She explained: “If people want to pop in and stay for a chat, they’re welcome. We’ll get them a bowl of soup and take it from there. I’m not going to wait and start serving at any particular time.”

Jen’s hoping if Christmas Day goes well then she can organise a dinner once a month for people who are lonely.

She explained: “I’m not open in the evening but we’ve got the facilities here. Hopefully Christmas Day will go well and we can take it from there.”

Malatso is open till Christmas Eve from 9am till 5pm and will open from 12.30pm on Christmas Day. If you’d like to go along, either pop in to Malatso before Christmas Day and give a member of staff your details so that Jen has an idea of numbers,w or go along on the day from 12.30pm where you’ll be made welcome.