A new coffee house which has just opened on Watford Bridge is looking to attract ferry commuters and families alike.

For the cafe, which is called Cafe Du Quai, literally meaning 'water-side cafe' in French, is right next door to the Watford Ferry Dock and offers picturesque views looking out over the sea.

And for owner Cheryl-Lynne Thompson it was a dream come true to open her own coffee enterprise.

"It is just a little coffee house cafe and the idea came from when I used to see it when I was out walking early mornings," she said.

"It was always in my mind that it would be a good spot for a coffee house and when I used to catch the ferry I thought I really would like to have a good cup of coffee and read a newspaper.

"It was a dream of mine for some time but it was under a different lease at the time. Finally the previous occupant gave up the lease and it appeared in the paper under tender and I applied for it."

That was back in December 2006 and Ms Thompson, who runs the business with her brother and coffee house manager Kevin Hughes, has not looked back ever since, completely renovating the inside of the building, which was previously used for storage, to where it is now today.

"My workmen were so good that people have commented saying that they never even saw work being done throughout the entire process," Ms Thompson said. "It was quite some time spent getting it together but truly worth every minute.

"Previously it was used for storage and it was used by a number of other businesses before that, but it was never used for this particular purpose. There was quite a bit to go through to get it to the point where it is today but this has only been achieved through the grace and direction of God. I am extremely appreciative to those people who supported me including Works & Engineering and my family and friends."

The coffee house is open seven days a week between 6.30 a.m. and 9.30 a.m. and then 11.30 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Friday, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., and Ms Thompson has already seen a good throughput of business since it opened.

"Everyday it is getting better and better - people are talking about it and we have had some very receptive comments from people," she said.

"It is curiosity more than anything because many people remembered what it used to be before and want to know what it has been changed into now.

"It is good for the commuters catching the ferry who want to grab a coffee and paper, and also as a place that people can get together and relax and enjoy the beautiful waterfront scenery without it being too costly and for the family to get together and get back to spending their quality time with each other - that is the real purpose of it."

It offers a variety of refreshments, including, above all coffee, pastries and sandwiches, as well as cooling off with an ice cream, smoothies, pies, while patrons can also get hold of their copy of The Royal Gazette there, said Ms Thompson.

"It is good to meet and greet regular customers and people that I have never met before. It is interesting because you get to meet so many different people," said Ms Thompson.

"First and foremost it is about customer service - customer service is extremely important to me and I truly feel that service in Bermuda had hit a deplorable low and if I could help re-affirm what customer service really means to the Island I would feel very satisfied."