A fine dining restaurant which opened in a Norfolk garden centre just over a month ago is thriving.

The Greenhouse, at the Downham Home and Gardening Centre, has seen around double the expected number of visitors on some days since its launch.

The venue features a full dining area, with a bar and booths, as well as a lounge space.

Eastern Daily Press:

In addition to fine dining, it also offers other options, including coffee and cake, and has introduced an afternoon tea service, as well as 'special' nights on the last Friday of each month.

Chris Gooderson, 32, the centre manager, said: "It's been hectic. We budgeted for so many covers a day and in the first two weeks, we were doing double that.

Eastern Daily Press: Afternoon tea at The GreenhouseAfternoon tea at The Greenhouse (Image: The Greenhouse)

"We are totally taken aback. It's been hard work, but really great. It's landed really well and caught us off guard.

"People love the quality of food, as everything is made fresh and you can taste that.

Eastern Daily Press:

"They also love the look and feel of it - especially the lounge area - I have ordered more sofas as scones and cake is so popular.

"It's gone mad and we have more ideas than days to do them.

"Thank you to everyone who has supported us through the long journey."

Eastern Daily Press:

The restaurant did 50 covers of the afternoon tea in the first week, with Mr Gooderson adding "we put things out and it goes bang".

The Greenhouse is waiting for planning permission for a separate entrance, in order to be able to open in the evenings more than just on 'special' nights.

The restaurant is open between 9am and 4pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 3pm on Sunday.