Meet the man behind the poetry club sweeping Manchester’s cafes

Louis Glazzard is the man behind Coffee and Poems, a new poetry workshopping club that will be coming to a cafe near you.

Born in West Yorkshire and drawn to Manchester’s vibrant energy post-university, Louis’s journey as a published poet down the A62 is intricately woven with threads of personal exploration and community building.

He has a master plan to make poetry an art form for everyone and to encourage people who are interested to come down and share their work.

What is Coffee and Poems?

It is exactly what it says on the tin.

Come to a cafe, enjoy some coffee, enjoy and even read some of your own poems. It is a completely safe space for people to explore and share each other’s writing, with no judgement.

Louis said: “The idea is simple, come and enjoy a coffee. Hear a poem, we will discuss it and then write a poem.

“It’s speciality coffee, simple poetry. Poetry is always for the every day, and there’s a misconception that poetry isn’t.

“People overcomplicate it and it sometimes feels inaccessible. I want more people to experience the joy of it, and of writing it, which is why we are here.”

Louis Glazzard

Louis Glazzard was born in West Yorkshire and moved to Manchester soon after university.

Growing up queer in a working-class area, he spoke about how he started writing poetry to develop his identity in a safe space.

“I think the first poem I wrote was just about some boy that I fancied.

“It was just a good way to explore my feelings” he laughed.

Nowadays, he draws inspiration from as wide a range of things as random as:” the digital age, dating apps and dog food.”

Sipping his flat white, he tells us he spends most of his time writing in various Manchester coffee shops, mentioning House of Books and Friends and Chapter One books as standouts, as well as Ducie Street Warehouse.

“I think I owe my love of books to my mum. She sort of instilled the classics in me, and I took on the more modern stuff as I got older,” he added.

What does he love about Manchester?

Manchester, with its dynamic creative pulse, has become an integral part of Louis’s narrative.

Despite not being a native Mancunian, he speaks fondly of the city’s inclusivity and the boundless opportunities it affords to creative minds like his own.

It was within Manchester’s warm embrace that Louis created the idea for Coffee and Poems, a sanctuary where poetry fans and novices alike could come together over a cup of steaming coffee and immerse in the verse.

Making poetry for everyone

When it comes to setting up his own community, in the Coffee and Poems Club the founder knew it had to be Manchester.

He said: “I was looking for a fresh start and Manchester’s creative scene is just so big, I felt instantly at home here.

“It felt like big things were happening. It’s a dream place for the creative-minded.”

Fuelled by a desire to make poetry for everyone and dismantle its often-perceived elitism, Louis envisioned Coffee and Poems as a haven where individuals could dip their toes into the vast ocean of poems without fear of judgment or expectation.

Much like life drawing or paint-and-sip events, Coffee and Poems invites those curious souls eager to explore the realms of poetry in a nurturing environment.

“I remember thinking before I set up the Coffee and Poems club, wouldn’t it be cool if you could go to a cafe and do poetry?

“I think a lot of people find poetry really pretentious which puts a lot of writers off.

“We don’t want that here at all. This is a safe space for people to try things out, without the pressure to become a published writer or acclaimed speaker.”

”Coffee and Poems comes with the same ethos, there is no pressure to force yourself to love poetry (or coffee) “I hope that the club can be a space to just try it.”

When is the next Coffee and Poems?

It is going from strength to strength at the moment, with events selling out regularly.

Louis said he was ‘completely chuffed’ with the reception so far.

“The reception has been really warm, and people seem to be really interested in sharing their work,” he said.

They have three successful events already under their belt and another one just announced.

“I think poetry is often misunderstood, but it’s such a powerful medium for expression.

“If you think this could be a bit of you, and you want to unleash your creativity, why not come down to our next event?”

Mark your calendars for the upcoming event on May 21st at Ducie Street Warehouse, where the fusion of espresso and expression awaits.

You can book a ticket by clicking here

Whether you’re drawn to the rhythm of verse or the aroma of freshly brewed cappuccinos, Coffee and Poems promises an inclusive sanctuary for all.

Louis’ book Human Men is available here