A COFFEE and food chain had a queue of nearly 200 customers waiting to get in on opening day as it welcomed people to its Kendal branch for the first time.

The Stricklandgate eatery is only the second site to be opened in England by Bob & Berts.

The company, which was founded in Northern Ireland, says it is offering a hybrid approach - functioning as a café but also possessing a ‘full, restaurant-standard kitchen’.

“We’re not trying to be in competition against the local tea rooms and that sort of existing market that you already have here,” said Jordan Graham, marketing manager for Bob & Berts Group Ltd.

“We’re more here to give the bigger chains a run for their money.

“In other chain coffee shops, you might struggle to find much more than a sandwich in a cardboard box in a fridge, whereas here we’ve got a big menu, vegan options, gluten-free options, burgers, all day breakfasts and plenty of sweet treats too.”

Bob & Berts Kendal, which began trading on Saturday, has opened in the building vacated by clothing retailer Monsoon in 2019.

“It’s so good to get open in the middle of peak season,” said Mr Graham.

“Obviously Kendal is a big holiday destination, which is why we’re gunning to get open in July.

“We’re really excited and the crowd seems really excited as well.

“People we’re talking to on the street seem really excited, saying it’s just what Kendal needs, and we are happy to provide that.”

Heather Dixon, store supervisor, described the eatery as a ‘place for everyone’.

“There’s nothing else like it in Kendal,” she said.

“It’s something different.”

Husband and wife Gary and Natalie Luddon were among the first to eat at the new branch. They were impressed with their food.

Mr Luddon said: “If you look at Kendal from a high street perspective, what we have got at the moment is a lot of lunchtime specialists, a lot of evening specialists, and this sort of bridges that gap.

“It’s a chameleon venue.”

Mrs Luddon said: “It’s just nice to have somewhere you can just have a coffee and a cake.

“You’re not pressured into feeling you have to sit down and have a full meal.”

Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Graham said the eatery had been very busy since opening.

“It’s been absolutely mental,” he said.

“Especially Sunday, because we were open to 9pm.

“It was a huge day, from opening to closing.”