Mylor Bridge was positively buzzing on Monday morning as a new coffee shop opened its doors to locals and visitors, writes Packet correspondent Irene Gardiner.

By late - afternoon, it was still packed with customers sampling coffees, teas and delicious homemade cakes. Isobel’s is the creation of local residents, Lily and Isaac Parker.

Lily said they’d been working round the clock to make sure they would be open on time.

“I’ve been hoping to open my own café for the last ten years and we’ve been waiting for the right opportunity, place and time to do it,” she said.

“With this space becoming available, everything fell perfectly into place. We were given the opportunity to take on the premises four or five weeks ago and we’ve been working evenings and weekends around our full-time jobs and raising a toddler, to open on time. ”

The couple has lived in Mylor Bridge for four years. “It’s an absolutely lovely village”, Lily said. “We felt that a café would be central to the community and would benefit everyone living here”.

The café is named after the couple’s 18-month-old daughter, Isobel. ” We want to build a future for our family and get to meet and serve many amazing people who come in to see us,” she said.

Lily has plenty of experience in the hospitality sector to ensure success, having worked as a hospitality consultant. She has run other cafes in the area.

From Thursday she will be serving lunches as well. “We’ll be offering fresh homemade sandwiches which can be toasted and a selection of salads offering fresh, seasonal produce, all locally sourced and sustainable. Sandwiches will include chicken, homemade pesto, sundried tomatoes and cheddar. “We have a vegetarian alternative served open on our lovely toasted focaccia; avocado with sundried tomatoes, feta and pickled red onions. Our delicious salad bowls will include roasted Mediterranean vegetables with couscous, and orzo with butternut squash, beetroot and tender stem broccoli.” There is also a takeaway service.

Lily is very encouraged by the feedback so far. “We’ve had so many people walking over, super excited about it. This morning the whole café was full in the first five minutes and I am fortunate to have a really great team working with me.”

She added, “We would like to reach out to local community groups and the school to see if we can support events and functions. We are also hoping to set up a puzzle/games morning once a week where those unable to get out of the house much can come down, play Scrabble and do puzzles with other people looking to connect.”

Judging by local feedback today, Isobel’s is sure to be a successful venture.