FORMER international trader Amy Yu hopes her new York coffee shop Cosy Time will prove a local success.

Mrs Yu, who owns the business with her husband William Xue, opened to customers in Fossgate on Saturday.

Having taken over the former Optimax laser eye surgery clinic premises, she knows there is plenty of competition nearby.

"I wanted to have a coffee shop for quite a while, but we have only been looking at locations for the last one and a half years," said Mrs Yu, who is originally from China.

"I think we have the right barista in Dawn Harker and we get all our desserts and gelato delivered from Italy.

"On this street, there are three coffee shops, but I don't think any of them have ice creams and nice desserts.

"We also have the best traditional Chinese tea, which is already proving popular and we have had a couple of customers return for the cakes."

Mrs Yu first came to the city 14 years ago to study management at York St John.

She later ran her own trading company before getting married and having a daughter.

After two and a half years as a full-time mum, Mrs Yu has taken on a new business challenge.

"I used to do international trading before, but I love coffee and I love cakes," she said.

"It's basically what I want to do. It's just a dream I have had.

"When I did international trading, I had to get up at different times of the night because of the different stock markets.

"Now with a daughter as well, I need to have a regular job!"

Cosy Time is offering customers a 25 per cent discount during August as well as a delivery service to local businesses.

"We are trying to do something different, so that we can stand out," said Mrs Yu.

Regarding the shop's name, she added: "It's what I want when I go for a cup of coffee with friends.

"You want to sit together comfortably and cosily."