Residents queued up as an exciting new coffee house opened its doors for the first time, with a Southampton boxer cutting the ribbon.

Dozens of people attended the ribbon-cutting for Hatch and Barrel on the High Street, at the site of the former Mountbatten charity shop on Saturday, May 16.

The coffee house is run by Kevin and Kate Portsmouth and their friend Gavin Henbest, and will also function as a bar in the near future.

Kevin said: “I think it’s been a bit of a whirlwind three months, and it’s great to see the response from the local community, that’s been the biggest feedback that we have had.

“It’s been quite overwhelming, the amount of people.”

Hatch and Barrel opening in Southampton (Image: Lucy Blackmur)

He said: “I think it’s a great addition and hopefully we live up to the hype that we created.”

Gavin added: “It’s been a rollercoaster, it’s been a lot of hard work.

“The work that’s been put into it, I dread to think the amount of hours that I have been here, but to finally get the door open and see all the people outside is great, it’s good.

“As with any new business, it’s always a risk, it’s nervy, but we’ll make it work.”

Hatch and Barrel opening in Southampton (Image: Lucy Blackmur)

Kevin said he thinks it’s great that they have managed to generate interest with the locals.

He said: “I think over the next few months, hopefully we will finalise our license so we can have the coffee house and then add the bar to it and create that destination for evening guests to come and have a quiet drink.

“We’re looking to put on some evening food with graze boards and things like that, so we’re just trying to keep that really chilled vibe.”

Hatch and Barrel opening in Southampton (Image: Lucy Blackmur)

Kevin added: “Long term, it’s just creating that long-term sustainable business, who’s not to say that in a few years’ time, once this is established, we can expand this sort of brand into other local areas.

“But I think today we’re just really happy to have this open and give something to the community.”

Former British, Commonwealth, and European super-featherweight boxing champion Ryan Garner attended the opening to cut the ribbon for the new business.

He said: “Gavin contacted me about opening it up, it’s a privilege really to be asked.

“It’s a good place for the community and people to come down, friends and family to have a catch-up and a coffee, so it’s good for the community to get together.”