Café owner will hang up his apron after 41 years of the full English

The Oxford Restaurant in Clarendon Avenue, which has been open for 41 years, is opening its doors for the last time tomorrow (Saturday).

Manager Stephen McGuire, whose family opened the business in 1971, said it would take time to get used to not working at the cafe, which has been a part of his life since he was four years old.

Mr McGuire said: “It’ll be strange not having to get up in the mornings and being able to have a lie in.

“We used to offer accommodation and it was nice getting to know the tenants over the years.

“I’ll miss the regular customers as well. Some of them first came in with their grandparents and then they brought their grandchildren in too so we’ve served two or three generations of families over the years.

“These days I can’t go anywhere in Leamington without being spotted.”

Mr McGuire’s father John and his mother Silvana paid £11,000 for the property and named the cafe after a former restaurant in Oxford Street nearby.

The couple also ran a bed and breakfast business from the houses on either side until John died on Christmas day in 2006.

Silvana left the running of the cafe to Mr Mcguire and his partner Jeanette Edgar three years ago and the building was sold to a businessman who allowed them to lease the cafe for the short-term.

Mr McGuire and Miss Edgar now plan to take a break for two or three months.

Mr McGuire said: “I’ve always enjoyed it but after my dad died I was working on six days every week and didn’t get much chance to take a holiday.

“We’re not as busy as we used to be but I would like to thank all of the customers both past and present for their support.

“I’ve been giving away mementos to people such as pictures and ornaments for them to remember the cafe.”