Changes are afoot on the food and drink scene in Prestbury.

Traditional tea room The Chocolate Box, run by sisters Kate Nuttall and Angela O’Leary, is up for sale due to co-owner Kate’s ill-health.

And Grade II-listed building the White House, former home of Indian restaurant the Saffron Room, is set to transform into Italian restaurant ‘Coast’, due to open this month.

But the owner of Italian restaurant Romulus denied rumours that it will close.

Salvatore Sattoruso said: “We’re not closing, that’s absolutely untrue. We’d like more support from local people though.”

Prestbury Thai Restaurant was also rumoured to be closing but owner Paul Collins said there are no plans to close.

He added: “We have been in Prestbury for 12 years and have noticed many changes over the years, most for the better. “Prestbury is now a destination choice for people who like good food.”

Chairman of Prestbury Parish Council Arthur Dicken said the new Coast restaurant was good news and added: “Business in the village was difficult after the recession but there are definitely signs of recovery now.”