A HOUSEWIFE who agrees Swindon town centre is a culinary desert is set to open her first cafe.

Mother-of-three Kirsty Williams will open Kirsty’s Cafe bar, in Havelock Street, on Friday, September 25.

The 37-year-old said the 38-seat cafe will be a French bistro-style eaterie ideal for corporate clients and businesses parties.

On Monday the Advertiser revealed business leaders believed the town centre was becoming a culinary desert because it did not have venues which could contribute to a cafe culture Mrs Williams, a former sales manager, said: “What was in the article was exactly my husband’s and I’s sentiments. I agreed totally with it.”

She added she had eaten at most town centre cafes and bars over the past three months with her husband Shaun as part of her market research.

Mrs Williams said she generally ended up eating in Old Town, even if she had come into the town centre to go shopping, because the majority of cafes in the town centre are “grab it, eat it and go, as opposed to enjoying an hour and taking your time.”

Mrs Williams, who grew up in the New Forest before moving to Wroughton seven years ago, said she was very confident the business would succeed, despite the economic downturn and the fact that here are four other cafes already in the same street.

She said: “It is a case of differentiating yourself and not being lazy and waiting for business to come to you.

“It’s about being proactive and being out there and looking for business.

“I have always been the same. I like the thought of being my own boss. I am very passionate. I actually feel like my whole life has been leading up to this moment.”

Kirsty’s Cafe Bar will initially open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 2pm on Sunday.

A liquor licence has already been acquired for the business and after three months trading Mrs Williams hopes to open in the evenings.

She plans to attract family parties and businesses by allowing them to hire the venue for free while she provides the drinks and food.