A FAMILY-run baked potato shop has hailed its decision to leave a shopping centre as "the best decision ever".

The Spud Man, which had been located inside the Riverside Shopping Centre in Evesham for over 30 years, before moving last year, has celebrated its one-year anniversary in Market Place. 

The shop, which is now known as Ye Olde Baked Potato Shoppe now has more space and outdoor seating.

Tom Bowen, owner of The Spud Man after taking over from his father who founded the business, said: "We celebrated one year in Market Place on July 24 and I can tell you that it was definitely the right decision. 

"The old shopping centre was very outdated and had seen better days, and as a result we weren't getting the footfall we would have liked. 

"So when we saw this premise on the market with its better location and scope, we went for it and it's been fantastic.

"It's less out the way and not only have our regular customers been coming back, we have had a lot of new customers who have just been passing by, overall we have been kept really busy."

The Ye Olde Baked Potato Shoppe now sits in a grade II listed building and serves jacket potatoes, bacon and sausage baps, a selection of baguettes, soft scoop ice cream, cakes and hot drinks.

Mr Bowen continued: "It's the best decision we ever made. 

"We haven't really celebrated or anything but we did put a post up on Facebook and it's been fantastic to see so many positive comments, both online and from people who come in and visit us.

"We have done a lot of new things since the move from the shopping centre that we were a part of for over 30 years, such as the new outdoor seating area. 

"We hope to be here forever, we were in our previous premises for over 30 years so another 30 here would be great. 

"If someone was coming here or the first time I would recommend the cheese and beans, it's tried and tested and very popular, although anything with cheese is great."