A popular Isle of Wight cafe has a garden with a 'different climate', award-winning breakfasts and focuses on giving back to the community.
Neil Mason, owner of Town Choice Cafe on Town Lane, Newport, has had the cafe for four years, taking the keys on January 27, 2022.
The business itself has been operating since March 1986.
From Wolverhampton, Neil's background is in retail, establishing the Sainsbury's branch in Freshwater before becoming store manager of Costa on St James's Street, Newport.
He took the branch through Covid and then pounced on the opportunity to have his own place when the long-running Town Choice Cafe came on the market.
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Neil said: "I wanted to have a community kind of feel. The Island is very much that - it's nice to be part of that.
"We wanted to make sure it was successful and still grows and to make sure that it wasn't stuck 30 or 40 years ago.
"When I first took on, I changed everything - I changed the menu and the way it all worked. It needed to be new but so it still had its roots."
Town Choice Cafe is only shut four days a year and caters to the needs of all sorts of Islanders - full meals early in the morning for those coming off shift work, games for families and kids to play and a JustEat service for deliveries.
One of the cafe's busiest times of the year is during the Isle of Wight Festival weekend, with customers returning every year.
Town Choice has also won the title of best breakfast in Newport, two years running.
Neil said he loves the community connection at the cafe and has provided hampers to vulnerable children, and over the years has joined in with the toy appeal and other charity drives.
He also works closely with St George's School, providing work experience for students and provides apprenticeships with the Isle of Wight College.
Neil thinks what sets his cafe apart from others in the town, is its garden.
Neil said: "As soon as I saw it on the market, I didn't know it had a garden. There's a lot of wildlife out there, which you wouldn't expect in Newport.
"The cafe is nearly 40 years old, but we still have people come in who are new finding us and finding the garden.
"You wouldn't think you are in Newport back there, and it's a different climate in the summer."
Neil said: "I enjoy the customers' interaction and with colleagues - I hope to continue to grow the cafe and still be here in another ten years."
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