A NEW café offering homemade Turkish baked goods is set to open in Christchurch.

Street Coffee will be located at 132 Purewell, on the former premises of the funeral directors.

The café is the latest venture from Tarik Kuyumcu, who also owns Fernando’s Pizza and Kebab shop next door.

Tarik says he noticed a gap in the market for a café in this area of Christchurch and decided to fill it. 

He said: “It’s going to be a community café. Being Turkish myself, I want to offer some Turkish pastries and coffee.”

Keen to open his doors in October, Tarik said renovations of the site are currently underway.

He said he is going for a ‘modern look with soft touches,’ with wooden floors and chairs and white decorations.

He said: “We are super excited about opening in Christchurch.

“We will try to give our very best to people coming into our café and will be a place where everyone is welcome.”

Tarik has lived in Christchurch for more than ten years with his family, saying he “loves the area”.

“It’s a beautiful part of Dorset and there are lot more shops and restaurants than even Bournemouth at the moment,” he added.

Despite the selection of cafés in Christchurch town centre, he feels there is space at Purewell for a community space.

Food offerings will include ‘gourmet specials’, including a selection of sandwiches and paninis with a focus on breakfast foods.

Tarik said: “We want to offer meal deals as a part of our menu and be an affordable place to eat.”

According to Tarik, Christchurch residents are ‘excited’ about the new café coming to the area.

He said: “Local people have expressed their thoughts, and the general feeling is that they think it’s a good idea.

“At the end of the day, there is a lot of footfall in the area, so it will be good to have a local family-run café.

The café is officially opening on Wednesday, October 2.