Twickenham's riverside cafe has re-opened its doors.

The new Cafe Sunshine welcomed its first visitors yesterday after the previous owner’s contract came to an end last month.

The cafe will be run by Richmond Council and staffed by people with learning disabilities from Power Employment and support catering staff.

It will remain open until redevelopment work on the proposed riverside scheme, which includes housing and a River Centre, begins.

Councillor Denise Carr, cabinet member for adult services, health and housing, said: “I am delighted that Café Sunshine is open for business.

"The council has run a café for many years staffed by people with learning disabilities, and this new location will expand the opportunities available for work and independence for this group."

A campaign was launched to save the family-run Arthur’s by the River cafe from closure after Richmond Council announced it would not be extending the lease after it expired on June 16.

Adrienne Rowe, who had run the cafe with her husband for five years, argued that the cafe’s closure would lead to four of her staff being made redundant and suggested the empty cricket pavilion on Twickenham Green was a more suitable spot for Power Employment.

However, the couple closed the cafe’s doors for the last time on June 16.

Café Sunshine will be open Monday to Friday, from 9.30am until 5.30pm and from 9am until 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.