A POPULAR Redditch restaurant has reopened its doors today (Wednesday) after closing 14 years ago.
Poppins used to be in the town’s Kingfisher Centre for 16 years but struggled when another coffee shop opened nearby and had to shut up shop in 2009.
The new-look Poppins is back in the centre in the unit which was occupied by Druckers before owner Yucel Eminoglu took over and ran it as Bono for four years.
Yucel told the Standard: “People would always come up to me, tell me how much they missed Poppins and asked why I would not reopen it.
“Well, today Poppins is back – I have really missed my former customers.
“I’ve been having some really good feedback about its return.”
He added among those visiting on Poppins’ first day back trading have been former employees and diners – some visitors went there as children and are now in their 40s.
One we spoke to, Sarah Marchant, said: “I think it’s a great idea to bring it back.
“I used to come here with my aunt and uncle and my mum.
“I always remember the knickerbocker glories and that was the first thing I ordered when I came in.
“I come into town quite a lot so it’s so handy here.”
And it is not just the knickerbocker glories people have to look forward to – Poppins offers breakfasts, snacks, sandwiches, jacket potatoes, burgers, brunches, omlettes, lasagne, salad and classics, including steak, gammon and a mixed grill.
There are also plenty of desserts for the sweet-toothed, including pancakes, apple pie, lemon meringue and chocolate fudge cake.
And of course it offers tea, coffee and thick milkshakes.
Yucel added: “I have my daughter, son-in law and another employee so we pride ourselves on being a family-run business with freshly cooked food that is reasonably priced.
“Times are hard at the moment so we wanted to keep the prices as reasonable as possible.”
For more on Poppins, visit the venue in the Kingfisher Centre or check out the Facebook page.