“Chester needed something like this, a hundred percent! Especially down by the river, we needed something fresh and healthy! “ says Connie Kidd, co owner of the Acai grove on Lower Bridge street.

Operating from a converted barbers, with all the fixtures and fittings built by Connie’s partner Luke, the new business has seen a roaring trade in their opening week, and on the day of our visit had sold out by 3pm. The main items on the menu are Acai bowls- a base of Acai berry with various customisable fruit and superfood toppings. Acai berries grow in South America and contain ten times more antioxidants than a blueberry. “Its a really good meal for you! “ says Connie. Also on our the menu are a range of smoothies and matcha tea.

“We wanted to start small, because its the first thing we have done and we are so young. It’s lovely by the river and there’s also parking available if you want to pop in. All of our fruit is from Oliver Perry, a South Cheshire farm, our coffee is from Clumsy Goat in Manchester . All of our fruit is as local as we can get it! “

“I did fashion marketing at uni. We are from North Wales originally but we live in Chester. I’ve always wanted to have my own coffee shop and I saw a gap in the market here. ” Acai grove has attracted a young crowd in opening week with Acai being very popular on social media. “Its very instagramable as well! We have the college campus just down the road, so lots of people have been coming in before!”

“We love Chester so much, its such a gorgeous little city. In London, and America and Australia Acai so popular! . In Liverpool and Manchester its really becoming popular now. ”

The Acai Grove are open 830- 4 (closed Tuesdays) and Sunday 9-3