The owner of a new tea room has invited her customers to step back in time as they pass through the door.

Ashley Anderson, 35, is the owner and manager of Fanny Annies in Queen’s Road, Buckhurst Hill, which opened for the first time last Saturday (April 18).

The concept tea room aims to transport customers back to the 1940s, with vintage furniture, drinks, decor, and even a custom menu featuring classic layer cakes.

Miss Anderson has never run a cafe or restaurant before, but she said she wants to provide something more welcoming than most bars and pubs.

She said: “It is totally new to me.

“I wanted to do something a bit more homely and a bit more family-welcoming.

“I have been collecting memorabilia china from everywhere, some £100 plates.

“Everything is original, the chandelier is French from 1939, we have got 1940s hats.”

Epping Forest Guardian:

Ashley Anderson with the vintage produce at Fanny Annies

Apart from the chandelier everything is classically British, and Miss Anderson is aiming to transport customers to the 1900s through to the 1940s.

She said: “It put the ‘great’ into Great Britain, didn’t it?

“We are celebrating Great Britain, we have got a big oil painting of Winston Churchill to go up.”

Epping Forest Guardian:

Fanny Annies opened on April 18

Having only just opened, Miss Anderson says there are more ideas she wants to explore at Fanny Annies.

She said: “I hope to host parties here and eventually look to hire out our vintage china.

“Everything is for sale as well, if you like the tea set you are drinking from so much, you can buy it.”

She added: “It is exciting, a bit scary and daunting at first but it is getting more exciting.

“It is a very, very friendly road and everybody has been very helpful.”