Cafe Aroma is to open a Kitchen and Bar in the former Wetherspoons pub in Ferndown.

The family firm, which opened its newest location in Verwood in 2022, also has cafes in Bournemouth, Wimborne and Ringwood.

Following speculation, Cafe Aroma posted online: “We are pleased to confirm that we will be opening a new Aroma in the old Wetherspoons building.

“We hope to have the renovations finished by the end of May.”

On taking over the building on Victoria Road in Ferndown, Tracy Butcher from Cafe Aroma told VerwoodToday: “It’s a different concept for Cafe Aroma, but fundamentally the same value for money and home cooked food that we have always done.”

The 7,000 sq ft space will be used to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the plan is to stay open in the evening with last food orders at 9.30pm and the bar open till 11pm.

Wetherspoons closed The Nightjar in Ferndown in September 2023 after the company decided not to renew its lease.