A former student at Helena Romanes School is beginning an unusual business venture this month by opening her own cat cafe.

Gemma Whitehouse, 28, and her colleague Lauren Moyes, 24, decide to set up The Catastrophe Cat Café to allow customers to have a bite to eat and drink while in the company of their feline friends.

The business will foster several cats from nearby re-homing charities, which will mostly be available to home.

The pair also have a grant to offer pet therapy to those with learning difficulties or disabilities.

“We are very excited,” Gemma said.

“We have a chance to show this can be done, but also it can be done in a way that makes sure the cats are happy.”

The café will also feature walkways, tunnels and toys to keep cats active, as well as a ‘human-free zone’ which the feline friends can retreat to.

The café launches on August 12 and is based in Needham Market, next to Quinton’s pet shop on Lion Barns.

Entry will be £5.