A DARTFORD cafe has been named the best along the Thames in a competition which attracted more than 1900 applications.


Ossie’s Cafe in Copperfields Shopping Centre, Spital Street, was handed the Best Thames Local Cafe award at a ceremony at the London Eye on July 18.

Three awards – one each for the best pub, cafe and restaurant – were given to the firms who got the most public votes.

Ossie’s owner Osman Alcici, 54, said: “I am well pleased. We got a lot of support from our customers and we are thankful to them.

“It has been very hard because it was on the internet and some of our customers don’t use computers.”

More than 1900 businesses from along the Thames and in Thames towns were nominated, which was cut down to 180 and then again to a nine-strong shortlist who were all invited to the champagne reception at the London Eye.

“I have been trading since 1990 and we always try our best to please our customers. We buy the best and sell the best and we give good service at a good price.”

Winners received a Thames boat trip for customers, a five day holiday on the Thames and a river trip for 40 customers.