A popular Newtown cafe and restaurant has announced that it will continue serving tasty lunches following an "overwhelming" response from customers.

Parkers told customers last month that it would no longer serve food after having difficulties finding a chef that suited the business' needs. Owner Tina Lovatt said that she was not willing to sacrifice her personal life while running both the restaurant and bed and breakfast business with skeleton staff as well as facing rising energy bills and stock.

Two days into the new routine as a coffee shop, the award-winning town centre business announced that food would be back on the menu on Tuesdays to Saturdays starting from February 6.

Tina told the County Times: "We had every intention of converting the restaurant into a coffee shop, however, we have had a change of circumstances that has left us in a position to be able to serve hot food again which is fantastic news.

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"Over the past 11 years we have built up a fantastic client base and our customers rely on us, not only for a high standard of food but for the company and social aspect of Parkers.

"We had an overwhelming response from our customers expressing their sorrow at losing us an eatery. These combined have led us to serve food again.

"We have lots of fantastic ideas that we will be bringing over the next few months!"

Following last week's announcement, Parkers placed an advert for a friendly and organised cook or chef to join the team at the Shortbridge Street eatery. People who are interested in the fulltime role with 25 to 35 hours of work a week is asked to send a CV and cover letter to parkersnewtown.accounts@yahoo.com.

Parkers, which is also a five-star bed and breakfast, went up for sale last year for a price tag of around £500,000 as Tina plans to retire and spend more time with her family. For more information about buying the business, contact Halls Commercial on 01743 450700.