A NEW seafront cafe has opened in Burnham-on-Sea just a month after plans to build it were approved.

In July, The Round Tower Guest House on the town's esplanade won approval from planners at Sedgemoor District Council to change its dining room into a tearoom, shop with a kiosk and a dining area with sea views.

On Saturday (August 11), Cllr Bill Hancock, mayor of Burnham and Highbridge, opened the cafe at a special ribbon cutting ceremony, marking the first phase of works to transform the guest house.

Pheobe Pearce, 70, owner of The Round Tower Guest House, said the cafe is already proving to be a hit with residents.

"It has been wonderful, we have had a really positive response from people about the food and the cafe itself," Pheobe said.

"When we launched on Saturday (August 11) a lot of local people came out to support us and enjoyed the cafe.

"We have only been open for a few days but we have had lots of residents come in to enjoy breakfast and cream teas.

"A few tourists have come into the cafe which is lovely but sadly the weather has not been on our side. I am sure we will see more soon."

Pheobe said the business has gone single use plastic free and has signed up to Litter Free Coasts and Somerset's campaign, Don't Feed the Locals, in a bid to reduce its impact on the environment.

"We have gone single use plastic free and are using more environmentally friendly alternatives to deliver quality food to our customers and reduce our impact on the environment as a business," Pheobe said.

"We have also signed up to the Don't Feed The Locals campaign as a business, we have a beautiful view of the sea from our cafe and we want to do our best to protect it."

Pheobe said she hopes to open the shop later this year and said she is excited for the future.

"It has been quite busy but it has been lovely," Pheobe said.

"We hope residents and tourists will continue to come to the cafe and we are excited for the future."