HONG KONG, Sept 24 (AP) -- A famed Hong Kong cake shop known as the official egg tart supplier to the territory's last British governor is relaunching with a coffee shop partner, months after it was forced to close because of expensive rent, a newspaper reported Saturday.

Tai Cheong Bakery will open a joint outlet with coffee shop chain Barista Caffe near its old site in Hong Kong's financial district, the Apple Daily newspaper reported.

The new shop will serve Italian coffee alongside egg tarts and a local donut-like delicacy, the report said. It will also reportedly feature a glass panel through which customers can watch the egg tart making process.

Tai Cheong was favored by Chris Patten, Hong Kong's last British governor before the territory was returned to Chinese rule in 1997. The old Tai Cheong shop displayed Patten's photo and correspondence from him.

The old shop shut down after its landlord more than doubled its monthly rent to more than 80,000 Hong Kong dollars (US$10,311; €8,566).

Calls to Barista Caffe Saturday went unanswered. Tai Cheong's new number wasn't immediately available.