A NEW eco cafe in Garth Park has had a "phenomenal" response from customers with hundreds piling through its doors each day.

The £200,000 environmentally-friendly eaterie is part of a major overhaul of the town centre park, including the play area.

Owner of the Savoir Fare cafe, Lorraine Fare, said: "We opened during the mayor's charity walk on Good Friday and had the jazz quartet playing out on our veranda with the weather shining.

"We have had a fantastic response. Residents of Bicester have really welcomed us.

"It has been something people have been waiting for for a long time by the sounds of things and we have built up regular customers that are coming in every day.

"Some days we have seen over 300 people – it has been phenomenal."

The final touches are still being put to the park's new earthy addition, which has an eco-feel to tie in with the Garden Town ethos for Bicester.

Solar panels are still being put on the cafe roof and it also recycles rainwater.

Locals have been singing the cafe's praises online.

Suzi Lee said: "What a fantastic place, everything has been specifically chosen, hand crafted and freshly baked.

"Perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon with the family and very fairly priced.

"We could have stayed all day but settled for buying a fresh loaf to take home instead – will definitely be returning."

Rebekah Dziumak-Hooper added: "It is long overdue. We came in on Monday with the kids and it is a really nice place."

The cafe is run by a team of two – Ms Fare and baker Chris Lewy – and sources 'as much as possible' locally.

Meat comes from Peter Goss butchers of Bicester, while coffee and tea is supplied by UE Coffee/Jeeves & Jericho, based in Witney. Breads are baked on site each morning.

The cafe also hopes to act as a hub for community events such as wedding ceremonies, which could also be performed there in the future.

Ms Fare said: "People are genuinely surprised that we bake our own bread and that they can buy loaves to take home with them."

The cafe also allows dogs.