A NEW Winchester café has closed for a three-week refurbishment, just a few months after opening.

NAAFI Café, in St George’s Street, is having a full refit.

The branch, run by Ministry of Defence caterer Navy, Army and Air Forces Institutes (NAAFI), opened in mid-April but shut earlier this week with workers stripping the unit ready for a complete redesign.

Hampshire Chronicle: NAAFI Cafe will be closed until July 26NAAFI Cafe will be closed until July 26 (Image: Adele Bouchard)

The temporary closure is as planned with a NAAFI spokesperson previously telling the Chronicle: “We are excited to launch our second NAAFI cafe in the heart of Winchester. We will be trading from 13th April awaiting a full refit in the next few months, and our new cafes will be open to all with military discount available.

"We look forward to welcoming in the community of Winchester and can’t wait for you to see our new look."

READ MORE: Winchester to welcome NAAFI café to St Georges Street in April

Hampshire Chronicle: NAAFI Cafe will be closed until July 26NAAFI Cafe will be closed until July 26 (Image: Adele Bouchard)

A contractor on site, from Concorde BGW Group, said the café will be closed for three weeks as the space was "in need of an update".

The business’s website states: “Refurbishment in progress… We are currently transforming into our next NAAFI Café and will be reopening on Wednesday, July 26. We can’t wait to welcome you to our new café.”

The company, which aims to support the forces community, has been contacted for more information on why it decided to open for just a couple of months before the full refurbishment.

Licensing applications are being displayed in the St George’s Street unit’s windows, with the business applying for “renewal of permission to use tables, chairs and umbrellas on the highway”. The application is dated Monday, July 3.

The premises was previously Rawberry.