A Bournemouth cafe will be opening its doors again to people who are alone this Christmas.

Rob Lindsell has opened Fika Café on Christmas day for the past two years and will be welcoming people once again due to popular demand.

Last year, over 100 people visited the venue in Westover Roadm with one man driving all the way from Birmingham.

Rob said: "Everyone is a VIP this Christmas and will be given the VIP treatment."

"I understand the festive season can be a difficult time for many, and nobody should be alone this Christmas.

"With Bournemouth being a student town, so many people can't go home to see their friends and family, and some people just don't have anyone to be with this Christmas."

"We want to be a home from home, and everyone is welcome to come in to take a break, enjoy the warmth and have a chat."

When opening Fika, Rob wanted to create a community-based space where everyone was welcome to come in for some simple conversation and laughter.

He said: "We are trying to bring back that community feel, which is something we used to see before lockdown.

"We are more than just a coffee shop."

The popular venue will open from 9am to 3pm on the day.

One of Fika's most regular customers, Jonah Spinner, said: "I am here nearly every day; I am not a particularly sociable person, but when I'm here, I just feel like I'm hanging out with my friends."

Another customer, Cedric Marr, added: "I cannot explain how much I miss this type of customer service; the man truly loves his customers, and they, too, him.

"I have never set foot in a business where everyone feels at home. It was like being at a friend's house rather than a coffee shop, I love it."

He added: "I almost feel like family it's hard to explain, I'm told by his regulars that he's like rain man, never forgets an order and never lets a customer down."