“It’s something we’ve always wanted to do” Jackie Lusk beamed at the opening of the Tea Room in Andover’s high street earlier this week.

“Initially we’d thought of a salad bar but as a family, we went out for afternoon tea and thought, right, let’s incorporate both!”.

Her daughter, Hayley Rowbotham, 41 agreed: “It was my Mum’s birthday, and we just thought, we can do this.”

The pair are now business partners and excited about their new venture. Jackie said: “There’s nothing in Andover for the people living in the town, you have to get a taxi to somewhere like a garden centre if you want to go out for a cup of tea and cake.”

Hayley explained: “I know quite a few people who don’t drive, so that’s more money if you have to get into a taxi, our tea shop is in the centre of town so you can pop in here and have a refreshing cup of tea while you’re shopping.”

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The women aim to bake fresh scones and cakes and will offer bookings for ‘an afternoon tea experience.’  Morning brunch will be served between 10-12pm noon and takeaways lunches from 1200 onwards. Traditional cream teas will be available all day.

The pair aren’t worried about family flare-ups: “She’s my Mum so we know our strong points and our weaknesses, I’m the unflappable one in the family!”

Jackie said they’ve designed the shop with a vintage feel, “We’ve got sugar bowls, cups and saucers, that whole kind of nostalgia, come on in and treat yourself!”

(Image: Caroline Simpson) The Tea Room at 45 High Street will be open Wednesday - Sunday.

To book for an ‘afternoon tea experience’ phone 0774 9070263. thetearoomandover.co.uk