A family say they will inject an authentic taste of Greece into an empty phone repair shop set to be transformed into a new cafe.

Husband and wife team Irena and Edmond Paja are launching Amalis Caffé next week in the former TD Electronics shop in Lower Bridge Street, Canterbury.

The venue - named after the couple's twin daughters Amelia and Alisia - will offer iced coffees unique to Greece and imported pantry items the owners say cannot usually be found in the UK.

These products, which include honeys and teas, will be sold in a shop area alongside the seated cafe zone.

Mrs Paja, 42, says her 13-year-old daughters will be roped in to help at weekends.

“This is a family business," she said. "We were born in Albania but me and my husband grew up in Greece.

“We have two daughters who are going to work with us in the café at the weekends.

“Amalis is a combination of [their names]. It’s called that because I came here for them, for their future and education, so I think it was better to put their names above the door.”

Amelia and Alisia, who share their parents' passion for Greek cuisine, were born in Greece.

Having lived in Athens for more than 20 years before relocating to Ramsgate two years ago, the Pajas had plenty of time to fall in love with Greek food.

The new cafe will serve Greek coffee and tea alongside crepes, cakes, waffles and sweet and savoury pastries.

On why they chose to open in Canterbury, mother-of-two Irena said: “We live in Ramsgate but we are coming to Canterbury because this area is very, very nice.

“The area also has many students and more of a community of people with Greek or Crypriot origins.”

The entrepreneurial couple told KentOnline they are sourcing everything for their new venture directly from Greece.

“Everything in this shop has come from Greece," they explained. "Only the chairs I bought here. Even the lampshades are handmade in Greece.

“The chilled display case arrived from Greece today, it’s just something different.”

Mrs Paja is nervously anticipating their upcoming opening, which she hopes will be next Sunday (November 20).

“I am feeling quite excited and nervous about the opening, because coming to England I was very upset to be leaving Greece," she said.

“When we moved I found it was a very different country and it was very cold. But now I think I’ve found myself with this business and I’m very, very happy to be here.”