A Deptford coffee bar started from scratch on the High Street is urging the public for help in funding a "bigger and better" shop.

The Waiting Room in Deptford has been in the area for around eight years now, but has been faced with the decision of having to move out due to the lease coming up for renewal.

In 2010, new owner Alec Snelling received the keys to a fully stocked off licence, with the original owners having left much of its stock behind when they left.

Mr Snelling said: “After much deliberation and looking at what the High Street was lacking, a place that served good coffee and a veggie/vegan menu was desperately needed.”

They decided to sell everything in the shop and start renovating the space into what later became The Waiting Room.

But now Alec and his friend Kev, who has helped with the business through the years, are being told they may have to move because the landlord is looking to renew the lease so he can develop the property.

Alec said: “Deptford is our home, especially the High Street, and we are desperate to stay.

"Over the last seven years we have become an integral part of the community. It really would be a shame and break our hearts if the Waiting Room was to close.

"My main motivation of going to these lengths of continuing the Waiting Room is because of all these people who treat it like it is their neighbourhood place, not just a place to go every day for their coffee."

The Waiting Room has now found a "bigger and better space" close to its current premises, but is now crowdfunding for improvements to their planned new site.

The crowdfunding page states the business is hoping to raise money for "More seating, a bigger menu, more opening hours, and even a garden", as well as new equipment.

For those backing the Kickstarter there will have huge benefits with free coffees, food, Deptford gift packs and even a night out on with "beautifully made cocktails by staff".

Alec added: "Also for the staff; yes, they could get jobs elsewhere because they're all awesome and we want to keep the band together.

"We do our best to employ people who live in the area so the customers see these people on the High Street, grabbing their food, seeing them having a pint in the pub. It has a real sense of community."

The Waiting Room Kickstarter fundraising page can be found here.