London: Britain's first ever cat cafe where customers can enjoy a cup of coffee in the company of several felines officially opened its doors on Saturday.

The cat’s whiskers! The cat café offers customers to spend time with 10 cats. The trend has become world famous with several such cafes opening across Europe and even in the US. File Pic/AFP

The grand opening of Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium in east London, was much anticipated by animal lovers across the capital.
Within hours of its opening date being announced online, the cafe's website crashed when 3,000 people attempted to book a table.

Cat cafes are already hugely popular in Taiwan, China and Japan — with over 100 already established in Tokyo.

The cafe's website explains the concept: “It's not just about being able to play with the cats. It's about the whole experience: a small indulgence, a place to forget about your day and unwind.

It's about coming in from the cold to a comfortable wingback chair, a hot cup of tea, a book, and a cat.”

With a whole range of furry treats in store, including toys, scratch pads, food and a lot of feline company - it's every cat's heaven.

The unusual eatery is owned by 31-year-old Australian Lauren Pears — who is a self confessed 'crazy cat lady.' Pears funded Lady Dinah's through crowdfunding website indiegogo.com.

The cafe will be open to both cats and their owners, as both are free to enjoy themselves.

The website says: “At Lady Dinah's, visitors will have the opportunity to kick back and relax with a cup of tea and spend time in the soothing company of our purring feline friends.”