Let a bank buy you breakfast!

Let a bank buy you breakfast!

An island bank has come up with a sizzling idea to help a cafe whose trade has been hit hard by roadworks.

Cafe Latte owner George Taylor claims takings have fallen 60 per cent since work on the Douglas promenades improvement scheme began.

But now Conister Bank has come to his aid - and has offered to buy breakfast for the first 100 customers through the doors of the Walpole Avenue cafe as from today (Monday September 1).

Managing director Juan Kelly said: 'After reading the article about Cafe Latte, I was saddened to see how this local business has been so severely affected by the roadworks which are part of the redevelopment of Douglas Promenade.

'As a local bank we care about our community and understand the value that local businesses provide to the Isle of Man.

'The article prompted me to consider how our business could help their situation. Therefore we are inviting Cafe Latte customers to let Conister Bank buy you breakfast! We will be buying breakfast for the first 100 customers, with effect from Monday, September 1.'

George Taylor, 59, and Irish partner Briege Ginnell took over Cafe Latte a year ago. Open between 7.30am and 2pm, it serves affordable breakfasts and lunches.

Mr Taylor said business was doing well until work started on the £1.5m first phase of the revamp when Walpole Avenue was closed for weeks and parking suspended. He said this had a 'drastic effect'.