Two of Sittingbourne’s oldest family-run businesses have got together in a new venture.

High Street stores Blundells Furniture and A E Barrow & Son bakers have opened a new coffee shop.

It was the brainchild of Lisa Blundell and her 53-year-old husband Robert.

They decided to open the cafe after realising they not only had the space, but were already serving tea and coffee to many customers.

Because they had no experience of running a food and drinks business, they enlisted the help of A E Barrow’s Simon Reynolds to manage the shop, located upstairs in Blundells.

He comes from a third generation family business, which was established in 1931 by his grandfather.

Blundells has a similar history to A E Barrow – it began in 1947 and is also being run by the third generation of the same family.

Just after the Second World War, Alfred Blundell started the business with his son, Jack – Robert Blundell’s father, who passed way 10 years ago.

The grand unveiling of the new coffee shop last Friday was attended by customers from both businesses and the Mayor of Swale, Cllr George Bobbin.

Lisa Blundell, 51, said: “We are both [businesses] fighting for survival in the town – we need to add that extra element to survive.

“The idea was basically to offer something different to the town because it is a coffee lounge and not a restaurant.”

The shop, which serves homemade cakes, sandwiches and paninis made using locally-sourced ingredients, is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 3pm.