The Garden Coffee House, Hexham has busiest month so far

Owner of The Garden Coffee House in Hexham, Grant Cameron, said the last month has been its busiest 'by far'.

The Garden Coffee House on Hallgate, near the Old Gaol (Image: Natalie Finnigan) "This month (March) has been by far our busiest month, not even marginally - we absolutely smashed it," he said.

Inside The Garden Coffee House (Image: Natalie Finnigan) Staff at The Garden celebrated their first birthday by handing out free cakes on March 13.

"Everyone seemed to enjoy it, we were quite busy that day," he added.

The Garden Coffee House menu (Image: Natalie Finnigan) READ MORE: New coffee shop next to Hexham Old Gaol to open next month

The cafe got into this year's regional finals of England's Business Awards for Best Cafe in Northumberland.

The cafe reported its busiest month yet (Image: Natalie Finnigan) "Even to have just been recognised in the first year is fantastic," Grant said. "I think what we do here is pretty great."

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The 28-year-old said the cafe even went 'viral' on Instagram after releasing a new food menu, and several food bloggers posted videos of the cafe on social media, which attracted thousands of views.

One blogger even said The Garden has the 'best cheese toasties in the North East'.

A smoked salmon bagel (Image: Natalie Finnigan) "Our claim to fame is the best cheese toasties in the North East now," Grant said. "Every day now is just an amazing day."

The cheese toasties and pistachio latte have been two hot sellers with customers.

Grant Cameron (Image: Natalie Finnigan) Looking ahead to summer, Grant said they are designing a spring and summer drinks menu featuring more matcha products, including a matcha-inspired cocktail menu, and focusing on developing the garden space for people to enjoy cocktails and beers in the sunshine.

The Garden Coffee House's courtyard garden (Image: Natalie Finnigan) "One of my ideas would be to set up something outside, like an outdoor food kitchen or a food truck that could be out the back, so we could offer something other than what we do now. It means food would come out quicker, fresher and hotter, so it depends on whether I can find the right person to help me alongside it."

He acknowledged he doesn't want to 'overdo it' until The Garden is well-established.

"I've always got ideas, there's always something going on.

"Thank you to everybody for all their support over the year - whether they've been in once, twice or a hundred times. The staff and everyone involved with the place have stepped in. It's been amazing. Hopefully it's just onwards and upwards," Grant said.