A FORMER professional rugby player has launched a coffee shop in the city centre.

Former Worcester Warriors winger Sam Smith has launched a speciality coffee shop and brunch spot on Foregate Street.

Mr Smith, 26, who retired from the Warriors in the summer due to injury received a business grant to set up Wayland's Yard.

He said: “Having to stop playing rugby was devastating as I hoped to play for another 9 or 10 years but this is the hand I have been dealt.

“But in terms of keeping busy there is nothing that could have been better, it has been a lot of hard work and I am exhausted, but also ecstatic with the shop.”

Mr Smith added that his coffee shop was the culmination of a long-held ambition.

He said: "This is something I have always wanted to do since I was 17 or 18.

"I was dissatisfied with when I went out for coffee or breakfast.

"About 18 months ago I started thinking about it more seriously and from October time (2015) when I got injured I had a lot more time on my hands and it escalated from there.”

In terms of what he wanted from the coffee shop, Mr Smith highlighted high quality products and the social layout of the store as things he had focused on particularly.

Mr Smith's team have been busy creating an exciting new interior for the Grade II listed building, drawing on Scandinavian and industrial influences.

He said: "I am really happy with the interior of the shop, there is a lot of social seating with shared sofas and shared benches as well as a number of group tables, this was something I particularly wanted to focus on.

"I have been realistic with my expectations and I was thinking I will build slowly but it has been busy from day one.

“There have been a lot of challenges behind the scenes including choosing the interior, recruiting staff and generally getting the shop ready to open.”

“In the short term my aim is to make sure every customer gets the amazing service and products that I want them to have.

“In the long-term, I would perhaps like to open a few more shops in neighbouring cities, but for now I am focused on making sure this store is a success."

Mr Smith, whose shop is at 6 Foregate Street just by the station, offers coffee, brunch and baked goods including sandwiches, cakes and snacks.

The shop launched last Saturday (October 22) after the business received a grant of £1,000 from Worcester City Council, which Sam match-funded from his own reserves.

Councillor Geoff Williams, cabinet member for economic prosperity and growth said: “I’m delighted that following a very successful career in rugby, Sam is now fulfilling another ambition to run his own business.

"I wish Wayland’s Yard every success for the future.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of Worcester’s economy, and the City Council would like to encourage more businesses like Sam’s to contact us and benefit from the range of advice and support we can offer.”

The business employs the equivalent of nine staff, six of them full-time.

Mr Smith was forced to retire from professional rugby after failing to recover from tears in his quadriceps muscle.

He played 13 times for the Warriors and 78 times for Harlequins and also represented England U20s.