A woman in Deal has stopped being a commuter and started serving them following the official opening of The Post Room at Deal railway station.

Originally from the Midlands, Kate Forman, 31, and her husband, Ben, 31, lived and worked in London for 10 years before taking residence in Middle Street, Deal, four years ago.

“We woke up one day and London had lost its charm,” said Mrs Forman.

The former web editor for Red magazine left her job in the city at Christmas and has now opened her own cafe, selling breakfast and brunch for both people on the go as well as those with a little time on their hands.

The opening was on Thursday in conjunction with Mikes Bikes, a new bike hire shop, next door.

Mrs Forman said: “I realised this is what I had always wanted to do, so I stopped being a commuter and started serving the commuters.”

The cafe was Platform1 and originally the station’s post and luggage room.

She added: “Because I’ve commuted for a long time, I feel like I have a good idea of what commuters want.”

The Post Room serves big breakfast sandwiches, homemade granola bars and breakfast cakes as well as brunch options.

She said: “If we can give commuters a big smile and a good cup of coffee in the morning, it makes it all a bit easier.”

Mr Forman, a product designer, is still commuting to London but helps at the weekends when the cafe will offer breakfast in bed.

Customers can order their hangover cures at thepostroomdeal.co.uk from June or call 07837 413474.

The Post Room is open from 6am to 12.30pm Monday to Friday, 9am until 12.30pm on Saturday and closed on Sundays.

Grab life by the handlebars

Next door to The Post Room is Mikes Bikes, a new bike hire shop.

Mike Phillips, 58, of Golf Road, Deal, was inspired to open the shop after his family found there was nothing like it during a visit to the town.

The grandfather-of-two used to manage the control centre for Southeastern dealing with 1,500 trains a day.

He now looks after 28 bikes, suitable for men, women and children and is encouraging people to grab life by the handlebars.

He has already had inquiries from Switzerland for July.

Bike hire for a full day is £15 for adults and £13 for children.

To book call 07484 727755 or visit mikesbikesdeal.com