A veteran of Dorset’s hospitality industry has opened a cafe at Weymouth’s interactive safety centre.

Sarah Allan heard about the opportunity from her husband Dave, who is a firefighter based at the fire station next door to SafeWise in Radipole Lane.

He was part of the team which set up the station and the accompanying learning village and community centre in 2011. Dave also delivered fire safety education at SafeWise.

Mrs Allan is running the business with help from daughter Ashleigh and daughter-in-law Chantelle and is opening to the public from 8am-4pm on weekdays.

She has had a 30-year career in hospitality in south Dorset.

She said: “I’m thrilled to be running my own catering business, especially at a venue which I know so well and which is close to my heart.

“I’m looking forward to meeting and welcoming customers to Cafe SafeWise, and excited to be working alongside the SafeWise charity to grow the business in coming years.”

Cafe SafeWise serves all day breakfast, lunch and other refreshments to the general public and also caters for companies that book meeting rooms or hold events at SafeWise Weymouth.

SafeWise Weymouth manager Ben Heath said: “Having a professional catering service on site will be a huge asset both now and in the future as SafeWise develops its skills for life programmes for schools and other visitors, and as we build our conference, meeting and training centre offer.”