A new French bistro which opened in Kenilworth last week has already proved a big hit with locals.

'Charlotte' threw open its doors on Warwick Road for the first time on Tuesday 1 October after weeks of work converting the former Thornton's shop into the new eatery.

The "modern vintage" café serves a range of classic French dishes for both takeaway and dining in, and is being run by chef Stuart Langdell - who used to work at The Cross - and school friend Anthony Banks, whose family have run The Manor House restaurant in Solihull for around 40 years.

"I am really inspired by French food; my background is fine dining, Michelin star restaurants," Stuart told Nub News.

Stuart and Anthony got the keys to the unit in June (Image by Eleanor Preshous)

"We are bringing flavours and combinations which are really classic in French gastronomy and they are seen in a lot of fine dining restaurants, but not really to more people.

"So it is great to bring that.

"I think French food has been forgotten about by the British, we embraced it from the 1960's to the 90's, and now everyone is looking at Japanese, Scandinavian, so we are reminding people French food is still there and, to my mind, the best food there is."

Having received the keys to the unit in June, the duo have been quick to install a new kitchen area, 'grab and go' section, toilet and of course completed the new décor.

And while there have been a couple of "teething issues" so far - forcing the opening date to be pushed back a fortnight - Anthony said the first week of business had been a big success.

Charlotte also has a 'grab and go' section (Image by Eleanor Preshous)

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"We have had a good reaction, we are really happy with the comments from customers," he explained.

"The public have been so welcoming and so nice.

"The feedback has been really good, including the small issues people have spotted."

Over the coming weeks Anthony and Stuart will also be reaching out to local artists to display and sell their work at Charlotte.

Charlotte takes its name from a similar café in Krakow, where Anthony's partner is from (Image by Eleanor Preshous)

A large mural of Kenilworth Castle has also been installed (Image by Eleanor Preshous)

There are also plans for a number of themed food evenings, where they will invite aspiring chefs to put on their own menu for the night.

And for those yet to come and try Charlotte for themselves, Stuart and Anthony have promised the bistro has added something "different" to the town centre.

"We have created a nice, spacious, relaxed environment," Stuart explained.

"We could have put more seating in, but we wanted to create a comfortable atmosphere.

"And it is a style that is a bit more upmarket - but without the price tag."

Anthony added: "It is a French-inspired quiet space where you can come and get a hearty meal which is more than just a toastie or a sandwich.

"We want to be a nice place where people can come and relax, and enjoy the food."

Charlotte opened for the first time on October 1 (Image by Eleanor Preshous)

The range of sweet treats at Charlotte (Image by Eleanor Preshous)