A COUPLE have closed their cafe for the last time after 43 years in business.

Marion Freeman, 80, and her husband David, 72, enjoyed their first day of retirement yesterday after close to half a century of early starts serving bacon, eggs and mugs of tea.

Marion’s Cafe in Beaconsfield Road, Brighton, became a firm favourite with hundreds of regulars over the years.

All were greeted with a smile and a kiss from Marion and warm words in her native Scouse, which has somehow survived four decades of living in Sussex.

Sisters Wendy Spavern and Jackie Taylor could be found there at breakfast time most mornings.

Wendy said: “You won’t find another breakfast like this anywhere.

“I was so sad when they said they were closing down.

“We found this place for breakfast once and we’ve never ever been anywhere else since.

“You get great food, a lovely cup of tea, and everyone gets a big kiss.

“Marion has helped a lot of people just by being here for them.”

Prior to opening Marion’s, the couple, who will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary next year, ran the Top Ten cafe in Upper St James’s Street for 23 years.

Dave said: “One of our regulars there was Luke Cresswell who founded Stomp.

“He used to come in to our old cafe when he was still busking in Churchill Square. Of course they’re world famous now.”

Retirement in their Wilson Avenue home now beckons but Marion said there is much she will miss.

“I’m a people person,” she said, “I’m the sort of person who just loves company and having a natter. I treat everyone like family.”

In recent years the cafe has only opened from 8am until 2pm from Tuesday to Friday, and on Saturday mornings.

She explained: “The last few years have been social more than business. But it’s nice because so many people, really nice people, have always come back to see us.

“I’ll miss the lads, the builders and taxi drivers, who come in to see us, it’s like a big family.

“We’ve seen people grow up – builders who came in when they were little kids and now own the firm. Its a nice way to earn your living.”

The lease on the property expired last week and the landlord wants to sell the unit so Marion and Dave felt it was the right time to retire.

Their last attempt, after closing the Top Ten, only lasted a year after which, Dave explained, Marion was “climbing the walls” so they opened Marion’s.

This time will be the final retirement.

He said: “We’ve had so many cards and presents – we’ll have to have a party.”