There was dismay when a popular tea room, described as "Nottingham's best kept secret", closed last year.
Quintessentially British Thea Caffea, at Enfield Chambers, off Low Pavement, had once been an oasis of calm away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
But the dwindling footfall from Broadmarsh Shopping Centre's decline coupled with ever increasing overheads made the business financially unviable for the then owner, who shut up shop last summer.
Fast forward 12 months. There's been a pandemic and Broadmarsh finds itself in even greater dire straits, so what makes it an attractive option for the new operators?
Peter Bullock, one of the four-strong team behind the new venture, said it was due to public demand.
"For the last 40 years I've been in business and I've done everything the wrong way round but it's worked.
"It was borne out of customers from Thea Caffea constantly sharing how disappointed they were when it closed and how they would love it to open so we thought we may as well crack on with it. It was a much-loved place. We loved it ourselves so we won't change it too much."
The owner of Peters Shoes, which fronts the alleyway leading to the hidden cafe, has joined forces with Craig Aulsebrook, from the music and construction industries, web builder Connor Cargill and entertainment whizz Gina Nikogosian to bring the business back to life.
Craig said: "I like a challenge. I believe if you do something well, it does not matter when you do it and we're going to do it really well and succeed.
"Peter and I loved it ourselves and we were really sad when it closed. We loved the Jasmine Silver Needle and Gunpowder teas."
Thea Caffea, which specialised in loose leaf and flowering teas served in china tea cups, and afternoon tea with scones and delicious cakes, will be sticking closely to the original menu and the vintage style but there will be one or two notable changes.
As well as operating as a tea room, the new owners plan to open Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings as a wine bar with events and live music, including jazz and classical.
"We won't do it from day one. We'll see what our customers want and introduce it gradually," said Craig.
Gina, who was the boss of an entertainment company in the Far East, is hoping to organise dog birthday parties and baby showers.
Monthly Sunday brunches and corporate Christmas parties are also in the pipeline.
On the same street as the new Magic Garden (at the former Jamie's Italian restaurant) and British tapas restaurant Esculent, Peter said: "It might become the stretch for something a bit different."
The garden area at the front of Thea Caffea will have heaters added to make it a warm and welcoming place to sit in the evenings.
Recruitment is currently under way ready for an opening date in September. Those applying include former Thea Caffea staff, who have said they're excited to see the tea room reopening.
Peter, who admitted to pre-opening nerves, said: "It's like a pre-flight nerves, or stage-fright. They are just nerves but I guess that is borne out of excitement."
Celebrity chef Rick Stein once complimented the afternoon tea at the 86-seater tea room, which first opened in 2012, while BBC news presenter Quentin Raynor declared "there are no better eggs benedict in town."
