WHEN Reg and Alison Howe opened their new cafe in Banbury 18 months ago they were hoping for little more than a steady start.

But a year and a half later Reg’s Cafe, in Thorpe Way, has picked up three prizes at regional and national awards.

Two weeks ago it was named Best Express Deli Cafe in Oxfordshire and was runner-up in the Best Restaurant by public vote category at the Oxfordshire Restaurant Awards.

On Monday Mr and Mrs Howe picked up the award for Cafe Bistro of the Year for South East England and Wales at the National Food Awards in Manchester.

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Mr Howe, 42, said: “I think the secret is fresh food delivered every day and most meals under £5. It has a nice atmosphere and the food is a fair price. Everybody wants to have fun when they come here. I am a plain eater and I decided I wanted to open somewhere with good English food.”


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