A COUPLE who fell in love with a Solway town are opening a guesthouse and restaurant.

Graeme Aiken, 50 and husband Archie Danfield, 47, submitted a planning application in August to Allerdale Council to change the use of Greenview Guesthouse, Silloth into a building with four guestrooms and a bistro restaurant.

The couple, who have moved to the area from Eastbourne saw the premises advertised and were amazed by how many people had heard of Silloth or had been there.

Graeme said: "We were amazed when we came here and saw the amount of things that take place on The Green, we just fell in love.

"It's so beautiful, we discovered a vibrant little town that we'd never even heard of."

Both Graeme and Archie have never owned a guesthouse before but have years of experience running pubs and restaurants, which is why they wanted to keep this guesthouse smaller.

"Everyone we have spoken to has said thank goodness we will be opening the restaurant because there is nowhere to go in Silloth on an evening," continued Graeme.

"The dining room will sit about 10 to 15 people it's going to be an intimate little setting.

"It's tremendously exciting. We've got some building work getting done.

"We hope to be up and running by the end of the month."

The idea to start a new adventure came shortly after Graeme's mum died in March this year.

The pair cared for Stella at home up until she sadly passed away.

Graeme explained: "She left us some inheritance and instead of squandering it we decided we would put it to good use.

"This is why we've decided to name the bistro after her - Stella's Bistro - it's all in her memory.

"It's fantastic. The only sad thing is she is not here to see it, but it will be a lasting tribute to her."

During the planning period no objections were submitted from Silloth Town Council, Cumbria Highways or Environmental Health.

Emily Grey, planning applications officer for Cumbria Highways said: "It is considered that the proposal will not have a material effect on existing highway conditions. I can therefore confirm that the Highway Authority has no objection to the proposal."

The consultation period finished last Friday and had no public objections.