A £50,000 investment at a Lake District cafe is proving an instant hit with customers.

Ian Dutton, owner of ‘Dutton Cuisine Ltd’ and the Miller Howe Café in Grasmere, has announced his ‘best season ever’.

The popular eaterie, based in the heart of the picturesque village, has seen a 25 per cent increase in visitors and a 40 per cent increase in profits since its refurbishment in April.

Ian undertook a complete overhaul of the café with new décor, kitchen fittings, menu and concept leading to a more European relaxed look and feel.

Fulfilling what he believed was a gap in the market in Grasmere, a takeaway pizza and fish n’ chip service has proved particularly popular, with a number of gluten-free options available.

The café’s extended opening hours to 9pm each evening during the season has been a welcome addition to the establishment’s offering.

Greater involvement from him and his wife, Annette, who bakes fresh cakes and pastries on the premises each day, has also helped to turn around the café’s fortunes.

Ian said: “We have taken a much more pro-active role in the Miller Howe Café this year. Keeping our eye on the ball and listening to what our customers really want – unpretentious, quality, good value food – has paid dividends.

"I have owned the café for 10 years, and this has been our best season ever, so we must be doing something right."

It has been a particularly successful year for Ian, who opened ‘The Pig’ restaurant in Windermere to rave reviews in March. Specialising in pork dishes, a meat considered by Ian as ‘underrated’, even he has been staggered by just how popular the venue has become, with feedback from customers glowing and a very unique menu changing every three months.

“Pork and apple scotch eggs are our latest obsession at the Pig – we know the customers will love them,” he added.