A NEW tea room is set to open its doors in Ellesmere Port tomorrow (December 2).

Port & Anchor Eatery has taken over the premises formerly occupied by The Galley restaurant in South Pier Road, near to the National Waterways Museum.

Helena Griffiths and Mark Tilston, from Helsby, are behind the exciting new venture.

The couple previously ran a village pub in Crowton, near Northwich, but left back in March this year to pursue their dream of opening a tea room.

The new dog-friendly venue – open from Tuesday to Sunday and also providing a takeaway service – will offer daily fish specials as a nod to its unique location, afternoon teas and freshly-made cakes and pies.

Trained chef Helena told The Standard: "We gave up our last pub just before lockdown in March. We never wanted to leave the pub – it was the hardest thing we've had to do. But we really wanted something that was ours.

"There was so many business premises for sale. We looked at plenty and even ventured as far as Wales but we really wanted something local. Then we came across this.

Chester and District Standard:

"We wanted a tea room, that was what we'd decided we were going to do and this was perfect. It's such a lovely building with so much potential.

"The neighbours and residents have been really supportive. We're excited now. We're hoping to eventually have theme nights a couple of times a month – Spanish, Italian, Thai nights, things like that.

"We've also got plans to extend upstairs although we haven't decided what that venture will be yet."

When asked if the couple had any reservations about launching a new business during a global pandemic, Helena replied: "No, we're not nervous.

"We feel like this is the right time. This isn't going to last forever.

Chester and District Standard:

"I just hope the brilliant support and response we've had so far on Facebook continues. People have booked outside tables for this week already, which is great.

"Once we've got that first week out of the way we'll be fine."

The premises last traded as The Galley and was previously occupied for many years by the South African restaurant, Jabula.

The Galley, which was run by Thomas Acton, revealed on its Facebook page back in May that it had decided to permanently shut having temporarily closed two months earlier due to the coronavirus outbreak.