A NEW lease of life for a long-vacant High Street shop has already gone down a treat.

Caracoli was already packed to overflowing with customers at its official opening on Monday, when Haslemere mayor Sahran Abeysundara cut the ribbon of the latest addition to the popular independent coffee shop and food store business, which has outlets in Farnham, Guildford, Alresford and Winchester.

Special guest was owner and founder Gail Nichols, who continues to source everything that goes on sale.

“I felt Haslemere was the right size of town for us,” she told The Herald. “It has a great feel about it and it’s still a community, which I like. This is an independent business and my priority is to provide really fresh food of the highest standard. I also like to support local producers as much as possible.

“Caracoli was founded 11 years ago, after I had the opportunity to travel to the United States, Australia and New Zealand and had seen how important coffee shops were there. I also felt there was nothing like that outside London.

“There is a lot more interest in coffee now, and people who work in London expect to be able to get speciality coffee in their home towns.”

The High Street premises was home to family-owned newsagent JL Nobbs for 81 years, before it shut up shop in October 2014.

The retail unit has been empty ever since, while the interior was extensively remodelled inside and it now also includes three new flats and an office.

* Caracoli will be open Monday to Saturday from 7.30am-5pm and Sunday 9am– 5pm.