'People are the oxygen': Welborne Garden Village celebrates the opening of first business The Corner Cafe

The development of a new garden village has reached a key milestone with the launch of its inaugural business.

Welborne Garden Village, which sits north of Fareham, has celebrated the official opening of The Corner Cafe this weekend. The exciting addition, which overlooks Welborne Park, will be operated by Kalm Kitchens and will provide a welcoming venue for residents to unwind as the village starts to take form.

John Beresford, managing director of Buckland Development, said: “It’s great. We wanted to do this because we saw so many people using the facilities and using the open spaces but the one thing that was missing was somewhere people could stop off and have a coffee.

“I think it’s really important because you can build really nice houses but it’s not until you bring in people. The people are the oxygen so the more people we can get in here the more it feels like a place people like to come to. The cafe is a catalyst for giving the place life.”

The first day of trade has gone down a treat, with a local boy waiting for the cafe to open at 7.45am, and people travelling from nearby towns to get a glimpse inside the new eatery, which will also showcase local produce.

The menu will feature a selection of sandwiches, seasonal salads, pastries, smoothies and barista coffee, alongside a deli-style offering designed for both eating in and takeaway.

The launch of The Corner Cafe, which will be open seven days a week, from 8am to 5pm - Monday to Saturday and from 9am to 5pm on Sunday, comes following plans for a new employment park were approved.

Once complete, the Welborne development will offer up to 6,000 homes, a primary school, independent shops and businesses, parks and more.