A community cafe celebrated its first birthday with entertainment after a school leavers’ gamble paid off.

The celebrations kicked off at Coffee in the Wood with a slice of birthday cake, a lucky dip and a giant dancing squirrel to mark the occasion.

Cafe founder Sophie Godding, 21 said: “Our party was great fun, we had a man dress up as a giant squirrel come and dance outside, and the children loved it.”

The community cafe in Colliers Wood high street opened in September last year after Miss Godding found herself unhappy at college and decided to take a gamble and set up the cafe instead of going to university.

Miss Godding chose to invest the money she had saved for university into the business and has not looked back after what she said has been a successful first year.

She said the cafe has become a popular community spot for children and the elderly alike, becoming a hub for people to meet and talk.

Miss Godding said: “The older people love to come and have a chat with us; sometimes we’re the only people they speak to all day.

“We’re very different to other coffee shops in the area.

“We take the time to care about our coffee and food and talk to the customers and create a welcoming environment.”

Collaboration with fellow local Leila Labam, founder of Leila’s Place, keeps the cafe well stocked with different weekly treats such as Guinness Cake and Jammy Muffnuts, their own combination of a muffin and a doughnut.

The party was held on Wednesday, September 24.