THE couple behind a popular deli and tea room in Hexham are expanding their brand into one of the town’s top visitor attractions.

Husband and wife team Ian and Jayne Pope, who run Deli at Number 4 on Beaumont Street, have taken over the cafe within the Queen’s Hall.

Having already run food and drinks services for a number of Queen’s Hall events over the last few weeks, Deli at Queen’s Hall officially opened this week.

While stocking all of the soups, salads, sandwiches, paninis, cakes and home-made ice cream that the business has become known for over the last five and a half years, Deli at the Queen’s Hall will cater for eat-in customers within the 60-seat cafe.

Meanwhile, just along the street, Deli at Number 4 will continue to operate, serving its steady stream of takeaway and tea room customers, as well as supplying its enviable range of beers, wines and spirits, over 40 cheeses, and outside catering services.

Jayne, who lives in Humshaugh with Ian, said the couple were pleased and excited to be asked to take on the challenge.

“For some time now the success of our present shop has been – to a certain extent – causing us problems as we have limited space available and we have unfortunately been disappointing visitors as we run out of seating very quickly,” Jayne explained.

“Whilst the tea room will still be available, running the cafe at the Queen’s Hall will give us a fantastic opportunity to serve more customers who seem to love our home-made goodies.”

As a result of the expansion, the current team of nine full and part-time staff will be boosted by four new members.

Managing director of Corbridge’s Angel Inn and the former Little Angel Cafe at the Queen’s Hall, Kevin Laing, said that after three and a half years the cafe had closed its doors earlier this month.

He said: “We reached an agreement with the Queen’s Hall which allows us more time to focus on the Angel Street Food side of our business.”