A FORMER Royal Navy chef ensured his new cafe was shipshape as it opened to visitors at Burrs Country Park

Mark Wellman-Riggs and his wife Nicola Gregson are hoping that the Lamppost Cafe will prove a welcome addition to the park.

Nicola said: “We are delighted to have opened our first venture together here in Bury, a place where I grew up and went to school, and in such a beautiful location as Burrs Country Park.”

The café opens from 9am until 5pm daily, serving breakfasts, lunches and homemade cakes. A Lancashire Fusilier Breakfast at weekends will be served with Bury black pudding.

Nicola said: “Mark and I are passionate about food and customer service — Mark was a chef in the Royal Navy before working as a food and beverage director here in the UK and internationally.

“I have been involved in running businesses in the UK and Middle East. This is a very special venture for us as our whole family is involved in some way.

“Catering and food is in our genes and we are committed to using local ingredients, local suppliers and even have the local milkman deliver to us.”

According to the pair, the cafe will focus on delivering great food and a range of teas and coffee, the latter specially roasted to their own blend by artisan coffee roaster ‘Second City Coffee’ in Manchester.

The 32 seater, pet-friendly café boasts free wi-fi, a collection of books for customers to read and outside seating.

Nicola said: “The support we have had already from local residents and cafe users recommending us has been amazing.”