Bridges Espresso Bar and Naughty Pizza Launch At Riverside Bedford
Mayor Dave Hodgson has cut the ribbon at a joint opening event for Bridges Espresso Bar and Naughty Pizza at Riverside Bedford.
The opening of the respective outlets marks the final two Council units at this complex to be filled.
Both these local independently owned businesses have been open to customers ahead of this event last Friday, adding to the variety of venues at Riverside Bedford.
Following the announcement on Saturday of further national restrictions, takeaways will be available from both venues from Thursday 5th November.
Speaking after the event, Mayor Dave Hodgson said: "It was great to cut the ribbon on these two businesses this morning, officially welcoming them to Riverside Bedford. This complex really has brought our town centre onto the beautiful riverside with Vue Cinema, Premier Inn, restaurants including Miller &Carter, Zizzi's and Wagamamas, and now these two independents joining them and Albero Lounge on Riverside Square.
"Coronavirus has presented a huge challenge for town centres across the country. Especially in that context, it really is fantastic news that we are still welcoming new businesses to Riverside Bedford with local independents such as Bridges Espresso Bar and Naughty Pizza. Our town centre is continuing to thrive as a great place to live, work and visit and these investments really do show confidence in Bedford.
"The Council has worked really hard to attract businesses to our units at Riverside Bedford and helped these businesses to get their doors open. I am really delighted that all of our units are now full, with a mix of national with Anytime Fitness, and local independent businesses. We are continuing to work with the owners of the other units at Riverside Bedford in generating interest and sourcing prospective occupiers to fill the vacant space and add to the already excellent offer of high quality restaurants and venues."
Brother and sister business owners, Daniel Steele and Beckie Fry of Bridges Espresso Bar commented, "It has taken a couple of years to get to this point and be able to open Bridges Espresso Bar to the public but we are happy to be trading and to be part of the Riverside Bedford development.
"We have used local companies to fit-out the premises and source local based products and produce for our food and drinks. Supporting local businesses is becoming ever more important and we welcome the great feedback we have had so far from customers since trading and look forward to operating alongside the other great independent and national businesses at Riverside."
Bart Misztal from Naughty Pizza said, "Our main business is supplying high-quality pizza ovens, but we decided to put our experiences and skills together to make outstanding Italian pizzas.
"The idea for a Naughty Pizza was born five years ago but the team were waiting for the perfect location in Bedford. When we saw Riverside setting, it was the one! This is our fourth outlet in the UK and we hope there will be many more.
"Even though these are extremely challenging times, it is full steam ahead and nothing is stopping us. The Council was a massive help in us gaining the property and it has been great to welcome people since our doors opened earlier this month."