POPPING into the Cinnamon Bistro in Corsham is like slipping into a cosy warm glove, according to the boss.

Tony Chivers, 49, of South Street, Corsham runs the High Street restaurant and coffee shop with his wife Sara, 39. Since it started four years ago, Cinnamon has gone from strength to strength. But because it is based in a listed building the pair have been unable to expand.

During the day it is a coffee shop serving teas, cakes, soups and sandwiches. In the evening there is an la carte menu, five nights a week.

Mr Chivers said: "It is really nice and warm and cosy. "It's like slipping into a warm and comfy glove or slipper. "We are a family-run business and have been very busy over the last four years. People seem to like what we do."

There is a wide variety of homemade soup available and Mr Chivers lists the spicy sweet potato with coconut and the cheesy leek and potato as the favourites. The coffee shop is open from 9am to 4pm and lunch is served from midday to 2pm. The evening menu runs from 7pm to 9.30pm.

The menu includes a specials board with a wide variety of fish dishes. Among the most popular dishes are seabass and five-spice roast duck.

Mr Chivers has been a chef for more than 20 years and previously worked at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios in Box where he cooked for the likes of the Stereophonics and Wet Wet Wet. He has also worked at the Manor in Castle Combe and the Rudloe Park Hotel.

"Working at Real World was a really nice job," he said. "I cooked for everybody, from famous bands to people involved with a lot of Peter's charity work.

"They were nice people and we have also got a really nice crowd who come to the Cinnamon. "There is always a really nice atmosphere and the food is good." Mrs Chivers, who runs the front of house, said: "All the food is simple but done with really nice fresh ingredients.

"We've got a big wine list and also do a wide variety of teas and coffees. "We serve Illy coffee which is an Italian espresso and rated as one of the top two espressos in the country. "There are only 30 seats in a relatively small area so you get a really cosy feel."