The Twisted Currant tea room in Porthleven has reopened with a brand new look and menu.

After being open for takeaway service at weekends since May, the cafe was officially fully reopened on Saturday (August 1) by the Mayor of Porthleven, Bev Plunkett.

Proprietors Michael and Susan Plant utilized lockdown to make some changes they had been planning since they first opened in November, 2014

Falmouth Packet:

Michael and Susan Plant in the newly decorated tea room. Picture: Twisted Currant, Facebook

Michael said: "We've been here six years and decided it needed updating. We wanted to keep it cosy but make it look brighter and lighter.

"We wanted to redecorate when we first took on the place but we didn't have the time, so lockdown's been a good opportunity. We've done the kitchen the bathroom, and even the windows.

"The Mayor, Bev Plunkett, came down to cut the ribbon and lots of locals came down as well for the reopening.

"Bev comes in as part of a group of ladies every Wednesday that come in and have coffee. Unfortunately one of them, Sue Coppen, died very suddenly just before lockdown so we put a plaque up in her memory."

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Michael and Susan carried out the refurbishment themselves, and, Michael says, it's been a family effort.

Falmouth Packet:

The Twisted Currant's new look. Picture: Twisted Currant, Facebook 

"We did it all ourselves", he said. "I did the carpentry. One of our daughters, Emma, designed everything and I built it. Emma studied art at University so she gave us some good practical ideas.

"My daughter Olivia has been a waitress on very expensive cruise ships for a few years and now she's working for us, so she's been a great help with re-opening and is very professional."

The cafe's new look has gone down well with the locals, Michael added.

Falmouth Packet:

Picture: Twisted Currant, Facebook

"We have a lot of regulars who've been itching to come back and they really like the changes. We've had very good reactions.

"We've got new tables and chairs that we can socially distance, and are doing takeaways for those that can't come in when the queue starts to build, or we save a table for them.

The cafe's new menu still focuses on traditional food and champions home made food and local produce, but has been "uplifted", says Michael.

But he reassures the regulars not to panic: Susan will still be making her famous cakes and the specialist cream teas that the cafe is well known for (including a 'chocolate chip' version) are still available.

The Twisted Currant is taking part in the Eat Out To Help scheme, where each customer gets 50 per cent off each meal up to a maximum of £10 each, between Mondays and Wednesdays throughout August.