A TYNE Valley coffee shop owner has described his return to the high street after lockdown as “amazing.”

It comes after Caffe Ginevra, on Prudhoe’s Front Street, reopened its doors to the public after its period of enforced closure due to coronavirus.

Anthony Finn, who runs the business with wife Amy, said that the cafe had seen its busiest week last week as restrictions continue to ease and public confidence grows.

He said: “We’re very much part of the community and the community, as always, has got behind us and supported us.

“Its been amazing really – me and Amy couldn’t ask for more.

“Its been stressful, busy stress, but its better that than staring at the door!

“It doesn’t surprise me though – we take time to get to know our customers and what they want, people feel safe to come here.”

Throughout lockdown, the couple kept customers’ cups filled by selling their Italian blend online with March and April seeing record sales as regulars and new buyers strived to replicate the Italian experience in their home.

The couple also ran a successful delivery service, initially, in a bid to shift fresh stock.

However, the doorstep deliveries proved so popular that they had to buy more stock to meet demand.

“In business, you’ve got to learn to adapt and be open to change”, said Anthony.

“We won’t encounter this again and we had the mindset that if you can’t come to us, then we’ll come to you.”

The cafe and espresso bar, which moved to a larger premise in the town two years ago, has introduced a number of safety measures, including a one-way system and a sanitisation station.

And as the business goes from strength to strength, the couple look forward to setting up shop at the Tyne View Retail Park at the end of the year.

Anthony said: “The retail park is mainly national businesses, but we hope to be the one everyone thinks of for a nice coffee.

“We anticipate it will be busy and people will want things quickly.”

And with fast food giant McDonald’s set to be a neighbour, Caffe Ginevra’s menu will follow a “fresher approach”.

He added: “We can’t wait to get stuck into it. Opening a new shop, there’s always a little bit of anticipation, will it work? But people know our standards.

“I love my job, I love making coffee, and serving it to the town.

“My dream when I started was to have five shops, but it feels like we’re only just getting started.”