A new bakers' has had a soft launch in a Suffolk seaside town by a Cypriot man who fell in love with the resort while visiting a friend.

Ali Ozcinar has started operating L'Artisan bakers in Hamilton Road in Felixstowe in a unit next to Christopher Boreham jewellers that used to be occupied by antiques shop LOVE Antiques.

He planned to have an official opening once he had completed decorating the premises, including putting signage on the outside.

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Mr Ozcinar said his family had been operating a bakers' since 1974 and he had been in Cyprus for the last 17 years.

However, he decided to move to Felixstowe following his visit and has set up the bakery, which bakes everything in store.

He said: "I have been in Cyprus for the last 17 years doing exactly the same thing, but now we are back in the UK.

"It was just by the off chance that we came to Felixstowe to visit a friend and ended up loving the place and staying here."

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His bakery sells pastries, cakes and bread and will be starting a deli meat and cheese counter, while there will also be salads, sandwiches, coffee and ready meals available.

Mr Ozcinar said his business aimed to sell local produce.

His family used to run the Bake Shop and Deli in Kyrenia, Cyprus, having moved there from the Cypriot city Limassol. The umbrella company which owns L'Artisan is still called Bake Shop and Deli.

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Mr Ozcinar added: "We just like the people, people in Felixstowe are friendly, everybody is welcoming. We have got the beach a few minutes walk from here. I live three minutes walk away. It felt right for us to move here.

"For us, it wasn't just about starting a business, it was more about relocation as a family and this just felt right at the time."

An official opening date is yet to be confirmed.

READ MORE: Felixstowe news