THE Bridge Patisserie in Winchester, is celebrating 20 years in business serving coffee, lunch and cake to local residents.

To celebrate, staff have been hosting a week of events, which began on August 26.

The independent shop first opened in 1999, originally occupying number 20 Bridge Street.

After five years, the patisserie expanded to occupy both 19 and 20 Bridge Street, offering its open café seating area.

Owner, Moira Windsor, who lives above the shop with her husband, Joe Morris, five-year-old son, Theo, and puppy Daphne, said: “I still cannot believe it’s been 20 years!

“It certainly makes me feel old.

“Serving coffee, lunch and cakes to Winchester locals and visitors to the city is a way of life and we love being an independent business at this lively end of town.

She added: “We were keen to celebrate our 20-year milestone by having fun with our local customers and saying a big thank you to the other Winchester businesses that have supported us over the years.”

The week of events started on Monday with an evening hosted by independent coffee roaster and supplier, Mozzo Coffee – a supplier of the patisserie for 20 years.

Founder and owner, Grant Lang, spoke about his recent travels to Congo and how, in one of the poorest countries in Africa, Mozzo is helping to progress a more sustainable future for the people of the Muungano community.

Today (August 29), the patisserie will be hosting a pop-up market for local artists, ceramists and printmakers.

Tomorrow will be ‘free cake Friday’.Every customer who buys a coffee will be given a free slice of cake.

To wrap up the week of events, ‘Party Time Saturday’ will be on August 31.

Staff are keeping the main details of the event a “surprise”, but say the “doors are open to everyone”, and that guests “are certainly going to like it”.

The full programme of events can be viewed at: the-bridge-patisserie.co.uk, with leaflets also available at the cafe.

Ticketed events are available to book online at: the-bridge-patisserie.eventbrite.co.uk.