A NEWTON Abbot café celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

A popular haunt among residents and visitors alike, the Country Table Café is celebrating 30 years in the town this month.

It was during a trip to Ross-On-Wye in 1994 when Karen and Alan Brady got the idea to open a café in Newton Abbot.

And, after 15 months of research, Karen and Alan did just that - the Country Table Café opening its doors on March 30, 1996.

Fast forward to the present day and Julie Webb, Karen’s sister, who is now at the helm, having started working at the café in 1997, is taking the beloved café into the future with the same ethos that has served it so well - fresh, home-cooked food and excellent customer service.

’We are a premium café in the town, making our own home-cooked foods using recipes, many of which are unique to us - you can not buy them anywhere else’ Julie said.

‘We also cater for vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan diets’, Julie added.

In August last year, the café won hospitality of the year at Newton Abbot’s inaugural business and community awards.

‘I took over from my sister Karen when she retired in July last year’, Julie said.

‘After she has built the reputation, quality and loyal customer base, I intend to carry on in that same vein with the support of my husband Mark who has a vested interested in the business and is very hands on’, Julie added.

From Monday, March 23, in celebration of 30 years, customers can enter a free raffle, which will be drawn on Saturday, March 28.