Several formerly empty shops in Bedford town centre are currently a hive of activity as new businesses open up in the coming days and weeks.
And what they all have in common is that they provide unique experiences and products that cannot be bought online.
From an adventure golf/street food destination to a bakery, it’s evidence that businesses from outside of the area are keen to invest in Bedford and those already established here are taking a chance on expanding.
Terry Smith is the franchise owner of Putt Putt Noodle, an almost 12,000sq ft adventure golf and Asian street food destination in the former sports shop on the lower ground floor of the Harpur Centre which will open to the public on Saturday (16 December) at 6pm.
Bedford is Putt Putt Noodle’s fourth UK location and Terry said they chose the town because he sees a lot of potential here.
“When you look at the demographic of Bedford, it’s much higher than other market towns,” said Terry.
“There’s nothing like this in the area – we’ve got secure car parking right next door and all your entertainment – golf, food, games, karaoke – is all under one roof.
“We’ve created something for families, teenagers, all generations to enjoy and we know we’ve brought something unique to Bedford town centre.”
Visiting during the construction phase, the Bedford Independent can confirm that not only is the space enormous, but the transformation is incredible.
Terry and his team have invested around £1m in the new Bedford location which will be open from midday to 10pm. With three different adventure golf courses to choose from, plus basketball hoops, retro video games, an air hockey table, photo booth and karaoke room – plus Asian-inspired streetfood and sushi, it is likely to attract visitors from further afield as well as Bedfordians.
“We are so excited for the opening of Putt Putt Noodle,” said the Harpur Centre manager, Samantha Laycock. “We are sure they
are going to be a firm favourite amongst our current customers and will attract a whole new evening atmosphere to the centre.”
On the move
Two existing businesses have also evolved and adapted into new locations, demonstrating their belief in the town centre as a destination for shoppers.
When The Gallery moved out of its space on Howard Street (next to The Arc and under Lurke Street car park), you might have been forgiven for thinking that would be the end of amazing sourdough, fabulous coffee and a great place to meet/work/eat etc…
But how wrong you would have been.
Not only has the vacant space in Howard Street been beautifully filled by the team at The Arc, but The Gallery’s master baker, Kelsey Tucker, has moved just around the corner to a new store on Mill Street for all your baked goods, cool homewares, kitchen paraphernalia and high-end grocery needs.
Small Hours will be open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday and Kelsey gave us a behind-the-scenes peek just before they opened ahead of Christmas.
“I’m really, really hopeful for this new space,” said Kelsey. “We’ll still be baking and selling the bread and bakery bits that our customers know and love, but we’ve also added ‘small goods for the small hours’.
“There are design-led homewares at lots of different price points and everything we sell has a purpose. We’re a work in progress, but as we grow in confidence we’ll be extending our opening hours, so watch this space.”
Back on Howard Street, The Gallery has undergone a hot-pink rebrand as You For Coffee thanks to The Arc owner, Gemma Crawley-Roberts.
The concept began as a coffee cart (Dolly Cart-on), serving coffee and cakes on the days when The Gallery was closed. “When Kelsey and Simon decided to move out of the space, I knew taking on the cafe would be the final piece in the ‘shop experience jigsaw’,” said Gemma.
“We’ve had a soft launch in December, so will be all systems go in January. We’ve reintroduced the ever-popular Lingers’ sausage rolls, will be offering sandwiches and great cakes. There’s definitely a homely vibe and we certainly don’t take ourselves too seriously.”
Alongside the food and drink, Gemma will be selling more homewares and kitchenware and will host creative evening events.
Silver Square
Across the High Street in Silver Square, two of the units recently renovated as part of the High Street Heritage Action Zone funding are undergoing fit-outs for their new occupants.
Maison Le Vôtre is a French patisserie with an existing branch in Cobham, Surrey. “There is so much untapped potential in Bedford,” said owner, Vincent.
“When customers step inside Maison Le Vôtre they will feel like they are stepping into a small part of France or Belgium.”
Next door, Tony Le Britton will be opening the second location of his shop, Not Another Jungle, which has a store in Northampton and boasts 240,000 Instagram followers.
Opening in February, the shop will be a must-visit destination for plant lovers and, if his Northampton shop is anything to go by, will provide a store-front visual spectacle.
“Moving to Bedford wasn’t on my plan,” Tony told the Bedford Independent.
“But then Jane Perrone [former Guardian gardening editor and houseplant podcaster and author] sent me photos of the Silver Square unit and I was hooked.
“I was on my way to see Jane from Hay Lane Flowers at Bedford Flea and drove down the High Street and saw the empty units for myself. By the time I’d parked and got to the Flea I’d made my mind up.”
In common with Vincent and Terry, Tony can see the untapped possibilities in Bedford. Its combination of history, riverside location and unique shops has the potential to attract many more visitors from further afield, thereby attracting more investors.
The owners of the Harpur Centre, Tellon Capital, agree too. James Burchell, co-founder and partner at Tellon Capital said: “Putt Putt Noodle’s decision to choose the Harpur Centre and Bedford alongside the other properties in the UK they occupy is testament to the strength of the location.”
Christina Rowe, director of Bedford BID said they were pleased to see more inward investment in the town centre. “Not only is this helping to demonstrate the appeal amongst businesses who have already chosen Bedford as their destination of choice but the wider benefit these businesses should bring in attracting visitors to the town centre.”
Cllr Andrea Spice, portfolio holder for town centres and planning told the Bedford Independent: “The arrival of these new businesses in Bedford town centre is great news, which demonstrates both the potential and opportunities in Bedford.
“Work to attract investment involves many local stakeholders, from BedfordBID promoting the area, and council officers sourcing enquiries, to commercial agents marketing space.
“The investment by the Government into the centre of Bedford through the Town Deal, and Mayor Tom Wootton’s exciting plans for the area, will create the environment and offer to attract more investment, businesses, and jobs to the town and borough.”
