A NEWLY opened Newport cafe based in a former public toilet is hoping to offer ‘something different’ to customers.

The Cafe at Ridgeway, which opened its doors for the first time today, has been launched after a five month transformation.

Bethan Barnfield, the manager of the new cafe on Allt-Yr-Yn Avenue, said a lot of work had been done to convert the building from a public toilet into a cafe.

She said they were expecting queues of people keen to be the first customers when they opened their doors at 8am this morning.

“It’s been slow progress but we are really excited about the launch,” she said.

“We did a couple of private functions and really enjoyed them.

“Everyone was really complimentary and supportive.”

She added: “It’s very much a continental cafe for people to come in and enjoy.

She added that they wanted the cafe to offer something ‘a little bit different’ to customers.

“If we did it as everyone else nobody would have a reason to come,” she said.

“We want to do different flavours of teas and coffees, as well as the standard options, to offer something special.

“We want to do flavours that people can’t get elsewhere.

“We will also be doing lots different cakes, paninis, salads and sweets.”

She added that the cafe, which has taken on 12 staff, had applied for an alcohol licence and was hoping to host tapas evenings and other themed nights in the future.

“We are hoping to do themed nights a couple of times a month,” she said.

“Next summer we could do cocktail evenings, bonfire evenings and other things.

“We are going to use feedback from customers to develop the business.”