Southampton.

The new owner of the Lighthouse Tearoom, Heidi Cowen, has said she is looking at options to open the space at night as a reasonably priced eatery with an emphasis on local fare.

Miss Cowen took over the tearoom at the base of Gibbs Hill Lighthouse on Wednesday and has been working there since Saturday.

She spent three years of her childhood living with her grandparents -- her father was the last lighthouse keeper Rudolph -- and said taking over the business was like going home.

She said: "It has got a small kitchen, so it would have to be a small menu.

But I would want local fare -- locals like it as much as the tourist. If you offer value for money and keep things simple, I think it would work.'' Miss Cowen, who bought the tearoom for an undisclosed sum from Janice and Michael Burke, says that the idea is still in the formative stages and has not yet found out what kind of permission she would need to open in the evenings.

Keen caterer: Heidi Cowen outside Gibbs Hill lighthouse.