Alfresco dining and fresh flowers: Jaime and Kelly of JK's talk reopening after lockdown

As lockdown restrictions ease and people gear up for pubs and restaurants reopening after an enforced three-month closure; Honiton Nub News caught up with Jaime Fullick and Kelly Markley - co-owners at JK's Bistro.

Located on New Street in the heart of Honiton, JK's Bistro is a popular choice for diners who relish quality food served in an atmospheric setting, with a cosmopolitan feel.

Jaime and Kelly, both local, set up the business five years ago; each with a wealth of industry experience and an entrepreneurial urge. Since then, Honiton's flourishing indie scene has benefited from the successful venture.

Speaking about how lockdown has affected JK's, they said: "It's a tough one. Obviously, the situation is awful. But having worked solidly on building a business over the past few years; being forced to take a break has proved positive for both of our home lives and families.

"It's also given us a chance to reflect on things in terms of the business and reassess where we want to go with it.

"Now we have a date set for reopening, we are really looking forward to being back."

JK's Bistro will reopen next Thursday (9 July) and continue on a Thursday to Saturday basis, from 10am - 3pm during the day and from the earlier time of 5.30pm - close in the evening.

With an established outside area, the option to wine and dine 'alfresco' is an even more attractive feature of the restaurant, in a new era of social distancing.

Parasols will be set up to shield customers sat at tables from the elements - fingers crossed this refers more to bright sunshine than summer showers.

Much of the produce served at JK's is sourced from local suppliers - for example, The Crusty Cob, Wine World and Dart Fresh - along with the famous floral decorations provided by Tara Huffman, who grows and picks the flowers fresh from her garden a few miles away.

"Tara's seasonal displays in our restaurant are really popular with our customers. Obviously, now it's a little different, as we can't have vases on tables, but we are encouraging people to buy bouquets from her directly and to support her little business," Kelly explained.

For more information and to see the specials board as it's updated, check out the JK's Facebook page.