the drab East Road thoroughfare.

Nipping inside one can see how this brightly-lit drinking and dining establishment is divided by the long bar. One half a relaxing front room, complete with comfy sofas and armchairs; the other a more spacious conservatory at the rear with enough quiet little corners and tucked away cubby holes for a quiet drink or bite. The heated outdoor area looked great for the summertime, with many tables and chairs and a vast canopy on raised decking. The well lit, split-interior was decorated with imaginative hanging artwork and ethnic ornaments neatly set off by the wooden flooring and matching furniture.

On our visit the clientele were a mixed bunch of lunching or coffee-drinking shoppers and small groups popping to catch the end of the football on the wide-screen TVs dotted around. The range of beers is wide with a neat selection of continental and domestic lagers in additional to three real ales, including Old Speckled Hen and St Edmunds cask ale, with locally comparative prices of £2.90 to £3.10. The wine list was pleasingly diverse from an inexpensive Chilean merlot to premium champagnes. We shared a pleasant bottle of house red and nibbled on a big bowl of olives and chunky bread.

We found a quiet corner in the conservatory, still basking in the late afternoon sun and studied the menu, which in addition to a permanent menu of tradition starters, snacks and mains, there was a brunch menu and revolving monthly specials selection of four starters and eight main courses. We chose a large bowl of small but tasty mussels to share and then both tucked into a delightful chicken and pesto ciabatta with a hefty side salad.

The food was agreeable and substantial, well presented and quickly served by a team of friendly staff, but the star of the show went to the sandwich, served with masses wonderful pine nut and basil pesto.

The Bakers has definitely risen from the ashes of its previous guises and is well set to compete with nearby eateries and, to its advantage, neatly doubles as a chic bar and cool late night venue.