A COUPLE are set to open a new café in the heart of Corbridge.

Jessie Blanchard moved up from London to the district earlier this year to move in with her partner Andy Walker, and the pair have now taken over the former Cafe No 6, at 6 Market Place.

"I love the location," said Jessie, who is originally from Scotland.

"I've been a chef for the last 10 years and my partner works in security, so it's a whole new ball game for him.

"We were both looking for a different direction."

They were planning on opening Halcyon House Cafe in December, but that date has been pushed back to February.

"We're doing a full refurbishment of it and it's taking a bit longer than we expected in terms of lead times for items, but we'll get there," said Jessie.

The refurbishment has included removing the cupboard which was in the middle of the room on the first floor, putting in new flooring, and taking out the fireplaces.

They are planning on installing log burners and have also installed a beam.

"We're trying to make it look quite traditional," said Jessie.

While the menu is still being finalised, 'typical' café fare will be on offer.

The café, set over two floors, has a capacity of around 25 people.

The pair have applied for a pavement licence as they are hoping to be able to offer a couple of tables outside, weather permitting.

Jessie has also submitted a premises licence application to Northumberland County Council so that they can also sell alcohol for consumption at the café.

She wrote: "Any customers seen to be acting in a disruptive manner will be asked to leave quietly in order to not disturb neighbours.

"We are not foreseeing this as a problem as we are primarily a cafe, not a drinking establishment."

The hours the café will be open are listed on the application form as 9am until 6pm Monday-Wednesday, 9am until 7pm Thursday-Saturday, and 10am until 4pm on Sundays.

The consultation period for the application ends on December 1.