The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Cafes, pubs and restaurants are busy as al-fresco drinking and dining keeps customers coming despite chilly weather
Cafe culture has arrived in Peterborough as residents enjoyed food and drink in the chilly spring sunshine this week.
Coffee shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars were able to open and offer seating - as long as it is outside from Monday, and there were plenty of takers as a hint of normality emerged in the city centre for the first time this year.
Thankfully, the rain stayed away, and there were blue skies - even if the temperature was a bit on the chilly side - for people to catch up with friends for a drink and a bite to eat.
Others took a break after hitting the shops for the first time in 2021.
Many establishments have set up outdoor seating areas to make the experience as comfortable as possible for visitors.
Outdoor seating will remain the norm until at least May 17, which is the earliest date indoor seating is allowed in the government’s roadmap .
Some businesses have chosen to place tables and chairs outside, while others have been innovative and constructed their own pods to make the most of the space available to them as well as allowing groups of customers to stay distanced.
Among those that have constructed their own outdoor seating area is Bean Around BE AR Coffee on Cathedral Square.
Owner Gareth Norman said: “It’s very exciting to be open again, we were taking online orders with local delivery but we are all very glad to be back out in the city centre again.
“I think cafe culture is a really good idea and we are embracing it. During the last lockdown, we just had tables and chairs outside but this time we’ve built these little pods for customers, with some more chairs one the oustide for people to use.”
The idea appears to be a success with customers
Claire and Ian Williams, saying: “We’re really glad about the nice weather and the ability to sit outside.
“It seemed like such a small thing a few months ago but just to be able to sit for a few minutes in Cathedral Square and take in the views and sun is so nice.
“We like the pods, they’re sectioned enough well enough that you feel you’re not too close to others but you’re still getting the fresh air from being
outside.”
The cafe culture approach to the city centre is in its first stages but by June four concept pods and outdoor seating areas, in Cathedral Square, St John’s Square, Bridge Street and Westgate, will be open.
Mark Broadhead, chair of Peterborough Positive, who are coordinating the reopening of the city centre, said: “The initiative has been designed to bring about positive change in Peterborough by at
tracting more people into the city.
“The project will help retain hospitality and retail jobs and improve business productivity.”
A Peterborough City Council spokesperson said: “The café culture approach has allowed many of our local businesses to re-open and welcome back customers whilst national Covid-19 restrictions continue to ease.
“It’s been great to see our
residents enjoying the city and a return to shopping in a Covid-safe manner by utilising the café culture available since the city centre re-opened, and we look forward to more venues being able to return to action throughout the rest of spring and summer.”
Police said the first night • out for pub-goers in Peterborough was a peaceful one, with no real issues reported.
Pubs were able to open for the first time in 2021 last night, and scores of residents wrapped up warn to enjoy a drink with friends and family.
Cambridgeshire police said the evening had gone off well, and there were no alcohol related incidents reported in the city centre.
Under current rules, pubs, cafes and restaurants are only able to offer outdoor seating, with indoor seating not available until the middle of next month at the earliest.