Ashford's first Cypriot cafe has opened, offering a wide array of Mediterranean food and drinks.

Taste of Cyprus has taken over the former Hunters Estate Agents site in the high street – a unit known for its ornate balcony.

New owner Umer Elmaz hopes to bring a touch of his home country to the town centre, and people are unlikely to find anything like it in Ashford.

Opening earlier this month, Mr Elmaz said: "I've been living in Ashford for 10 years, and I just thought it would be something different – to have a little slice of Cyprus in the town.

"We got the unit in December, but the refurbishment and decoration took months and Covid has delayed the opening process."

Despite being called Taste of Cyprus, the food and drink on offer comes from around the Mediterranean.

Baklava, börek and Реване (Pronounced revane) are served alongside authentic Turkish coffee and tea.

But its not just for Ashford's Greek and Cypriot communities – it's touted as a place for escapism.

Dimitro Makrovasili, the Greek head waitress, said: "If you can't go overseas for holidays this year due to Covid, come here for that brief feeling of being on the Mediterranean coast."

Mr Elmaz – who also runs the Ashford-based Smile Wholesaler – did note that Covid might impact his new cafe.

"It will affect the business but we're trying to work around it," he said.

"This is the new era, and it's not looking like we'll get rid of it any time soon so we just have to get through it."

The Cypriot expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome the cafe's had and is inviting everyone to go along and experience food they might have never tried before.

Taste of Cyprus' arrival is one of a number of changes seen in the town centre over the last few months.

Travel agent TUI has shut its branch on the corner of the high street and Bank Street, while Tailor Made Mobility has moved into the former Nationwide unit nearby.

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