Hard work has paid off for the owners of Falmouth’s Castle Beach Cafe, which has reopened just in time for this week’s Tall Ships Regatta.

The cafe, destroyed during this winter’s heavy storms, has risen from the rubble in the form of two new shipping containers, which opened last Thursday and which owner Steve Gray has been working to clad in timber before this week’s influx of tourists.

Owner Steve Gray said: “We’re glad it’s open but it’s been really hard work to get to this stage. There have been a lot of obstacles in our way.

“We’re relieved, just because there have been lots of times we have thought we wouldn’t make this year.”

The two containers were lowered onto their new concrete footings in mid July, and over the past month Steve and his wife Jayne have been working with a team to get the cafe open, having doors and windows cut, building a set of wooden steps, and fitting out the inside with all new equipment.

Their children Alex, 13, and Amy, 15, have also taken an interest in learning about the family |business, with Alex even taking part in the staff coffee training on the morning of the reopening.

Steve said: “It’s great they’re starting to get involved. We had a lesson this morning from Cornish Coffee, down here training our old and new baristas.

“Inside is right up to spec with modern catering. People have warmed to what we’ve done, and it’s a test. We’re pleased with what’s come of it.”