CATERER Kris Donkin couldn't be happier - she's back in business just six months after being forced out of her Sizzle and Bite caf on the Basepoint Enterprise Centre.

Kris, from Black Dam, had all the stuffing knocked out of her last Christmas when Basepoint told her that her contract would not be renewed in April.

Now the Sizzle and Bite is up and running again on Daneshill, but this time in a 36-seater caf in Roentagen Road. The name is the same and already many of the old regulars are returning to support Kris.

The original Sizzle and Bite, Kris' first-ever business venture, closed on April 23.

She said: "I went out looking for new premises and my new landlord, Paul Edwards, came and said 'I've got the perfect place'."

Mr Edwards has offices above the new Sizzle and Bite and is now one of Kris' breakfast customers when the caf opens at 8.30am, serving meals until around 3.30pm.

Kris has invested about £25,000 in the new-look venue and even has toilet facilities for wheelchair users.

She said: "I'm really excited. I feel my days at Basepoint were unfairly brought to an abrupt end and I'm really happy to be back in business.

"I've got a five-year lease and I feel safe. A lot of people have missed us and the regulars are coming back." Kris celebrated by throwing a party at Sizzle and Bite and laying on a buffet which was attended by the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Cllr Gerry Traynor.

It's a very different story from the end of last year when Kris told Gazette Business: "I feel as though I've been slapped in the face."

Now she's all smiles as she sizzles up tasty bites for old and new customers.