A hybrid café and wine bar which only opened in September has been named Daily Echo Café of the Year for 2024. 

Customers have been voting for Cozy Seven in Shirley in their droves, saying they love the coffee, cake, toasties and relaxed feel of the Instagram-worthy venue, which now occupies the Shirley Road site which housed Warne's furniture shop for the last quarter of a century. 

Bearing the lucky number seven, an iconic Saints shirt of the past worn by Matt Le Tissier, Rickie Lambert, Terry Payne and Kevin Keegan and with links to Craig David's hit Seven Days, the venue aims to transform Shirley, turning the derogatory phrase The Mutant Mile on its head with a Beautiful Mile mural.

(Image: Cozy Seven) READ MORE: Tucked away Romsey tea shop at the heart of the community

Nick and Ann Warne, who previously ran the shop on the site, were joined by five others aged seven days, seven weeks, seven months, seven years and 77 years, to declare the venue officially open less than four months ago. 

60 seater Cozy Seven is owned by local entrepreneurs Mark Dunham and Simon Shobande, known as Shane.

On the win, Shane said: "Oh wow! It's just a bit of a shock as we're so new to this. 

"It's a massive achievement and we're absolutely thrilled. 

"It's been a stressful time, but we're getting there slowly. People love the ambience of the place."

(Image: Cozy Seven) A locally-sourced, constantly-changing menu features seven items of simple hot food including jacket potatoes, soup, bacon sandwiches and egg and avocado on sourdough from early until mid afternoon.

The hybrid venue evolves into a bar as the day goes on with an extensive wine list, bottled beer, cocktails and charcuterie and cheese boards.

Cozy Seven, which has seating outside for the warmer months, is hosting a series of charity events and boasts occasional live music. It's also available for private hire. 

(Image: Cozy Seven) Two other Shirley venues - Aroma Cafe and George's Cafe and Restaurant - made the shortlist for the coveted competition, alongside Cafe Lowford in Bursledon, Cherrywood Kitchen in Netley Abbey, Harvey's Cafe in Botley, Millie's Tea Room in Hythe, Songbird in Hythe and Stacey's Shack in Bitterne.