A Welwyn Hatfield cycle shop has started tempting its customers to linger by offering refreshments including craft beer, locally-blended coffee and cakes.

Hatfield Cycles in St Albans Road East offers popular Belgian brews such as Hoegaarden and Leffe, which can be enjoyed while watching live cycling on television.

Owner/manager Paul Jenkins said: “We used to run a cafe/cycle shop in Shoredeitch, but we closed it because the rent was horrendous, so now we have opened one here.

“It is more of a coffee bar than a cafe, but it is a nice way of using some surplus space, and we want to encourage groups to come down and get some atmosphere going.

“It will probably be the best coffee in Hatfield once it gets going.”

The coffee is specially blended for Hatfield Cycles by Lulu, an independent shop in Ware, while Welwyn Hatfield supplier Chrissy’s Cupcakes provides the brownies, shortbread and other sweet offerings.

The shop has no plans to offer hot food, but is further diversifying by offering space at the back for local exercise groups.

It has organised an “open weekend” on April 2 and 3, when it will have some of the latest models from Boardman Bikes for visitors to try out.