A CAFE opened in Minehead’s Blenheim Gardens on Saturday for the first time in five years following a refurbishment project which has caused controversy in the town.

The former Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) leased the building to businessman William Wynn on condition he restored it and opened by April 1.

But local residents campaigned against it because they feared it could be turned into a bar and used outside the opening times of the Edwardian gardens.

Last week, SWT’s planning committee met for the final time before the council was abolished to become part of a new unitary Somerset Council and agreed to put opening time conditions on a planning application by Mr Wynn.

Councillors ruled the cafe could be operated only when the park was open to the public, but not earlier than 8 am nor later than 8 pm daily.

Mr Wynn’s partner Lorraine Pegler confirmed the cafe had opened at the weekend and said it had ‘absolutely gone down well’ with customers.

Ms Pegler said: “So many people have seen the bad publicity and they cannot believe that people have been so cruel.”

She said the quality of the workmanship which had gone into restoring what had been a derelict building was ‘second to none’.

Cafe manager Sharon Bird said: “The reception has been absolutely fantastic. It has been such a beautiful feeling.

“People are saying they have been coming to Minehead for years and it is so nice to see it open again.

“The atmosphere is fantastic and everybody is so happy, they love the look of the place, there are children playing on the green.”

Ms Bird said the cafe’s range of cakes, cookies, and soft drinks was proving popular, and hot food would be added to the menu once the building work was finished.

She said already one customer had visited and given some toys because in times gone by the cafe used to have a stock of playthings for youngsters, and care homes had started taking their clients there.

In future, it was hoped to have some special activities mornings, such as for book exchanges, or for single parents