Owner of Long Sutton eatery serves hot meals to pensioners after being inspired by a family member and has expanded into a larger site

A cafe owner - who is delivering hot meals to pensioners after being inspired by a family member - has expanded into larger premises.

Unicornz and Riderz – an American style diner – in Long Sutton is owned by Faith Pearson (55) based at 7 Hoddins Way.

Having moved from one unit she has been able to expand the business by moving to a two-storey premises in September.

Mrs Pearson said: “We moved to 5 Hoddins Way and in a short pace of time we outgrew that with only space for about 15 people at a time.

“It was always the Unicorn Diner and number 7 is a considerably larger premises with an upstairs and we have brought some masculinity into it.”

The place was decorated predominantly with unicorns and now has a full size motorbike in the foyer.

She said: “It was very pink, girly and fluffy and when men come in we see them looking at the bikes – it is about bringing some balance.”

The owner is keen to attract bikers to the venue and has also created a sensory room.

She said: “It is to accommodate children who can’t be in the main dining room who have additional needs.”

Monthly events are being planned – following a successful Abba-themed night – with party themes such as country and western and burgers and beers.

Now that the venue is bigger there is also the opportunity to book it for baby showers and children’s parties plus providing outside catering for weddings and christenings.

Mrs Pearson said: “We want it to be family friendly but keep the prices low.

“We now have a capacity for 60 in total downstairs and upstairs.

“We have chefs who have numerous years of experience producing restaurant food at café prices – keeping the cost affordable for people with a high standard of food.”

There is also the opportunity for discos as there is a dance floor and also barbecues and buffets as there is an outside area.

Along with this the venue also caters for 17-20 pensioners by delivering daily meals in the area – they cost £40 a week and include a main meal and desert, served on a plate.

Mrs Pearson said: “I wanted to deliver hot healthy meals to pensioners who are at home without family – it works out to about £6.50 a day.

“We do this 365 days a year including Christmas day and send it on a plate which can be collected and replaced.”

The idea was inspired by personal experience when her mother-in–law had vascular dementia.

She said: “She was this very intelligent woman who was a nurse and this illness overtook her and cooking for herself became difficult.

“I thought one day I want to try and prevent people from worrying about it. The girls take the hot plates in hot boxes and are happy to help heat it up in the microwave.”

The diner also provides meals for school children in the summer holidays.