A QUIRKY tearoom that is in the running for a Telegraph & Argus competition was opened in memory of the owner’s late grandma and welcomes a 93-year-old regular every day.

Miss Butterfinger's, in The Green, Idle is one of 10 businesses shortlisted for our ‘Best Bakery 2024’ award.,

The T&A recently launched the competition, with readers invited to share their favourite businesses in the sector.

Nominations were made through our online voting platform and they have now been whittled down to the final 10.

Miss Butterfinger's was set up by Emily Beaton in 2015, who runs the tearoom alongside sole team member Molly, with her mum and dad always ready to help out when needed as well.

On being shortlisted, Emily said: “It was a lovely surprise, and an honour to find out people love what we do to nominate us.”

An afternoon tea at Miss Butterfinger'sAn afternoon tea at Miss Butterfinger's (Image: UGC)

She added: “After leaving college as a qualified chef at the age of 20 I decided to open Miss Butterfinger's to express my baking side and also in memory of my late nanna Hannelore who loved baking.

“The tea room is painted yellow, which was her favourite colour, and is full of birds and robins which she loved.

“Nine years later and we are still going strong and making her proud.”

Ms Beaton said she feels “lucky to be able to do what we love” and enjoys “experimenting and coming up with new recipes for our customers to try”.

The tearooms top three bakes are their scones, brownies, and coffee cake.

But if you’re wanting a unique experience you can sit in and enjoy an afternoon tea or homemade soup.

A pea and parsley soup that proved very popularA pea and parsley soup that proved very popular (Image: UGC)

Ms Beaton said: “We have created a tranquil and homely tearoom around a garden theme with flowers and birds, cream teas served on tricycles and afternoon teas served on picnic benches or miniature picnic benches for the children.

“We have taken our guests back in time as our 1940s music plays softly in the background bringing back nostalgic memories of days gone by.”

Miss Butterfinger's is an integral part of the community it belongs to – from providing a space for people to enjoy to getting involved with organising the village Christmas light switch-on and playing its part in bringing new customers into the area.

Some of Miss Butterfinger's freshly homemade scones in Idle GreengrocersSome of Miss Butterfinger's freshly homemade scones in Idle Greengrocers (Image: UGC)

Ms Beaton said: “We have created a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, where many regulars return, sometimes a few times a week and have done for years.

“We even have a 93-year-old local lady called Janet who comes every day for a homemade scone and coffee which she calls her medicine.

“We have developed a relaxed ambience where you can sit and catch up with a friend over a freshly ground coffee and homemade cake while you put the world to rights. 

“We also supply the local greengrocers with our homemade scones too - working with local businesses means a lot to us as we should all support each other, and we are the hosts to Idle WI knit and natter group who meet up weekly at the tearoom.”