A CAFE frequently used by train commuters has emphasised the importance of its services as it finally reopens.

Susana Blimundo, owner of Cafe Loco at Shrub Hill Station, is excited to finally reopen her eatery and hopes it will continue to be the focal point of many people's lives. 

Cafe Loco had been closed for several weeks due to construction work at Shrub Hill Station.

Worcester News: Richard Faulkner officially opened Cafe Loca.Richard Faulkner officially opened Cafe Loca. (Image: Susana Blimundo)A small reception took place today (Friday) at the cafe to raise awareness of how crucial the small cafe is in the community just before its official opening to the public.

Worcester City Mayor Louis Stephan and Lord Faulkner of Worcester, who sits in the House of Lords, attended the event.

"I wanted to hold a little reception with members of parliament and city councillors to show how we work," she said.

Worcester News: A crowd had gathered in Shrub Hill Station for the reopening.A crowd had gathered in Shrub Hill Station for the reopening. (Image: Susana Blimundo)"We have customers who live on their own and they come in here and talk to us about their lives.

"Sometimes we are the only people they are seeing all day.

"We have one gentleman who used to work on the railway for many years, and his wife passed away.

"He started coming to the station to see the train he used to work on and then began speaking to us. 

"Now, he is our handyman. His daughter thanked us, saying he used to be so sad and upset, but now he has a life again."

Worcester News: Mum and daughter duo.Mum and daughter duo. (Image: Susana Blimundo)Ms Blimundo said the cafe is a well-known place for commuters who may need somewhere warm to go and provides a regular happy face.

The business was taken over by Ms Blimundo and her daughter, Mareana, just before covid started.

Ms Blimundo added: "I am Portuguese and have always dreamed of opening my very own shop.

"I have always been a chatty, smiley and humble person. 

"I have always dreamed of having a business and speaking to people, and we had the opportunity, so my daughter and I started running the cafe.

"We closed after covid, and reopening after that has been very hard. 

"Sometimes, I take payment out of my own pocket to pay the staff wages."

The cafe is set to open to the public tomorrow (Saturday).