The owners of a popular Sidmouth café are retiring to make the most of the summer – after watching their customers enjoy the season for the last three years.

Frank Shepherd is turning 66 this year and had always planned to leave the Grosvenor Tea Rooms at this age, so he and partner Beverley Taylor have sold-up.

The premises are set to reopen next month as Someday Something with a new face, Jamey D’Amato.

“We’ve been very happy here in Sidmouth and hope people have been very happy with us,” said Frank.

“There’s a lot of places for people to choose here, but we feel we have been very successful.

“Most of the people we’ve dealt with have been fabulous. It’s been great working here - we will be staying here for a while.

“We’ve still got our health. We want to use our summers like ordinary people – we want a slice of that pie! Now we’re going to be able to get up in the morning and just say ‘I’m going to the seaside’, and go.”

Frank started his career in catering in the army, but was uninspired by the low wages and long hours.

He took a job as a freelance journalist in the motorcycle industry – earning the nickname ‘Scoop’ – while Beverley had an office job.

They opened a traditional English café in Charmouth nine years ago, then made the move to Sidmouth three years ago.

Frank is now planning to pursue his photography hobby, while Beverley is younger and not yet able to claim her pension, so he said she may find a part-time job. The pair wished Jamey well.