A TOWN centre coffee shop is creating 17 new jobs thanks to a £300,000 extension.

Lily Mae’s Bistro is bucking the trend of other small Accrington businesses by trebling in size.

The small cafe is being turned into a carvery, bar and gourmet food venue.

Bosses said that for the past few years the small eaterie tucked under the arches at the bottom King Street had been full to capacity of 38 at lunchtimes.

As well as extra staff and seating for 120 people, the bistro is now open on Sundays offering a carvery.

It also now has a coffee and bar lounge.

Owners Ian and Samantha Gregg, who named the business after their six-year-old daughter Lily Mae, also hope to create an outdoor area with a further extension.

Ian, 44, who also owns a garage and MOT centre in Argyle Street, said: “Ninety per cent of businesses like this would have failed the first year, but the garages have kept us afloat.

"Though we lost £30,000 the first year, since then we have improved profits by 30 per cent annually, we just get busier and busier.

“We are still not finished and hope to create outdoor space at the back.”