A FORMER firefighter has gone from putting out flames to serving cakes and coffee after opening a new cafe from a city pub's garden. 

Carl Pearson spent 30 years as a firefighter before retiring and setting up Cafe at BB from the garden at The Bull Baiters Inn.

The pub's landlord in St Johns has allowed the 53-year-old to sell various drinks and cakes from a unit in their garden.

READ MORE: Worcestershire-Israeli man tells of terrifying moment Hamas storm his home

"Essentially, I am a retired firefighter who wanted a challenge - I have no background in hospitality, and I am learning as I go.

Worcester News: Cafe at BB looks out onto the garden at The Bull Baiters Inn.Cafe at BB looks out onto the garden at The Bull Baiters Inn. (Image: Carl Johnson)"It is a totally different industry.

"We have so far been open two days, and I have taken it in my stride and enjoyed it.

"In fire, you need to have good people skills, which is a transferable skill."

Cafe at BB provides a special service which allows customers to have pictures of themselves, friends or pets on their hot drinks.

READ MORE: Crackdown on 'epidemic' of illegal and dangerous parking

Worcester News: One of the prints Mr Johnson has done.One of the prints Mr Johnson has done. (Image: Carl Johnson)

After retiring from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, Mr Pearson visited the Guinness factory in Ireland and was amazed at how they could print faces onto the drink.

It led him to go home and purchase his own machine, which spurred him to open his cafe and launch Drink Topper UK. 

"I can do selfies, words and emojis onto lattes, whatever someone asks for, I can do. 

"It puts a smile on faces."

The ink is completely edible and he said the process of printing onto drinks has not yet properly reached the UK.

Since opening officially on Monday (October 9), Mr Pearson said the feedback to his and The Bull Baiters Inn's collaboration had been well received. 

"Certainly customers absolutely love the garden, it is a large space in the centre of St Johns.

"There have been chats on socials which say it is fantastic, and they can't wait to come."

He hopes to expand the space to different groups like mother and baby or reading groups.

The Bull Baiters Inn opened its doors in 2016 and was Worcester's first micropub. 

Landlord Chris Hankins, aged 64, who was born and bred in St Johns, went back to basics with the establishment and serves local cask-conditioned real ales and ciders.