TAKING the reins from her parents who ran one of Peebles well-loved coffee shops for 17 years was never going to be an easy task for Suzi Litster.

But the young businesswoman has not only transformed Ramblers Coffee Shop with a dynamic and modern new look, she has also been nominated as a finalist in the Scottish Cafe Awards 2018.

When her parents Ian and Kate Lister retired, Suzi decided it was time for a new challenge and grabbed the chance to cook up a storm by taking over the cafe in September of last year.

Her passion for eclectic pieces is evident, with a mix of old cameras and photos, as well as handmade shelves from a friends old bed frame stylishly displayed throughout.

But the new look isn’t the only thing that sets this cafe apart, long-term diabetes sufferer Suzi has created a menu which details the carbohydrates in each dish - a very important consideration in the diet of people suffering from this condition.

Ramblers is in the Best Themed category, and Suzi told the Peeblesshire when news arrived that she was a finalist it came as a complete shock.

She said: “A member of the public must have nominated me and I am just thrilled. I haven’t had the business for long so to be up for an award so soon is fantastic.”

Suzi is quite bemused as to why she has been nominated in this category, however the Lister family had strong photography roots in Peebles.

The first firm to move into the March Street Industrial site, the Listers erected premises for their photofinishing and colour processing businesses. They were a well-known firm of photographers that first became established in the town in 1923.

“I had a lot of cameras at home with no room for them so when I re-decorated I decided to use these along with old photographs, perhaps this is the reason why someone has put me forward.”

It is often difficult for a person with diabetes to estimate the carb or calorie content of each meal choice from a menu, but Suzie is very passionate about making a difference to the lives of fellow sufferers which she has been praised for.

She said: “I’ve suffered from diabetes for twenty-nine years and no-one has ever put a meal in front of me and been able to say how many carbs are in it. It’s one of these illnesses that is constantly draining, its such hard work. This is why when I took over from my parents I decided to carb count the entire menu. So if a diabetic comes in here, I can serve their meal and tell them exactly how many carbs are in this dish.”

The cafe owner has shared her diabetic friendly menu with Diabetes UK and Diabetes Type One Scotland.

“Maybe it was a person who has saw this and decided to nominate me. It could be the photography theme or the fact I promote this menu for diabetic sufferers like myself,” she added.

The Peebles cafe owner is up against some stiff competition, but is delighted to be recognised so soon after her parent’s handed her the keys to Ramblers.

She said: “I’m up against a Chihuahua themed cafe so my chances of winning are slim, but I am so happy to be nominated and I am looking forward to the awards night.”

The black tie awards event will be held at The Crowne Plaza in Glasgow on Monday, June 11.