Frederick's Patisserie, Walsall

Among the throng of big chain coffee bars and cafes found in every big town nowadays it is a welcome relief to find a beacon of individuality, writes Ben Lammas.

Frederick's Patisserie certainly scores high in that department. It may be tucked away in a Walsall shopping arcade, but it really looks like it belongs on the pavement of a European city.

Step inside and you will find decadent decoration everywhere you look, from gold chairs to Marie Antoinette pictures and even what looks like the odd feather boa.

But the nightclub style decoration is a hit it seems, even with the OAPs, who love to pop in for a cuppa and a chat.

Until recently the cafe was also one of the last remaining spots where you could enjoy a cigarette inside the premises.

Now co-owner, Wolverhampton born Frederick, who runs the place with brother Fraser, prides himself on his coffee instead.

A cappucino can be bought for £1.90. The food on offer includes snacks like sandwiches, pastries and cakes. Frederick's sandwiches are cut into small, neat well presented triangles and cost £2.20. Toasties cost £3.20 and the cakes are £2.20. The homemade fruit squares are a tasty treat, there is also a selection of cakes bought in.

And while you eat you can take in the extraordinary surroundings which Frederick is still adding to whenever he gets the chance to get to a car boot sale.

Frederick's is open from 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Saturday and deliveries can be made to nearby town businesses.

Frederick's is on the left as you walk into The Victorian Arcade by Walsall Market. The cafe still bears the name Victoria's above it - the name of a former shop at the site. Unfortunately the signage has proved difficult to remove so remains where it is. But Frederick's can be identified by the name on the window at the front of the cafe.

Customers can either enjoy a seat inside or outside the cafe watching other shoppers pass-by. Even outside you are in relative warmth as the arcade is a covered shopping precinct

The staff are friendly and polite and the service is quick, considering much of the food is made fresh on the premises.

After a quick snack there are also plenty of nearby shops to browse in the arcade before making the two-minute walk back to Walsall's famous bus station, if using public transport.