In just a couple of months’ time, the Riverside North development will be open for business. With two more high-profile eateries signed up (Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Miller & Carter Steakhouse), there will be plenty of choice to complement the town’s excellent existing independent restaurants. Zizzi and wagamama are among other well-known brands who have signed up to trade alongside the seven-screen Vue cinema.
We believe this commercial investment in the town centre (not tax-payers’ money, btw) is something to be celebrated. From employment to entertainment, open spaces to meeting places, Riverside North will bring large numbers of visitors into Bedford. And it is our responsibility to encourage these visitors to discover the best that Bedford has to offer beyond Riverside North. Naturally, brand names draw people to places, but it’s the unique shops, cafes and culture of Bedford that will ensure it stands out as a vibrant destination that visitors want to return to. A walk along the river or a curry on Tavistock Street before a trip to the cinema, shopping in the Arcade before noodles at wagamama or early evening drinks at Riverside North ahead of a gig at Esquires. There will be increased competition, but that should encourage us to continue to up our game, continue to raise the profile of the town and put Bedford on the map.
In the words of Mary Portas, we need to, ‘be a radiator, not a drain’. We’re not blind to the areas that need improving, but we need to share the best of Bedford in order to encourage those who may never have considered visiting the town before. We cannot ‘talk down the town’, allowing vocal locals to hijack the debate with their own agenda. We need to shout about our cultural assets – fascinating and unique museums, world-class festivals, excellent theatres, more indie retailers than Cambridge, an astonishingly high proportion of incredible people, a thriving creative community – all the things that make Bedford brilliant and unique. By prematurely predicting the death of the town centre you are doing a disservice to the town and to the many, many people who go above and beyond to make Bedford the best it can be.
“For a town to become busier, it’s got to have new people coming in and that’s what these new businesses will do. We’re going to have new businesses blending with the old and that should inspire us who are here to do better. It’s rejuvenated an area which has not been invested in for a long time.” Libby Lionetti of La Piazza.
“We expect the new development to briefly have a detrimental impact on small businesses. People will go and try the new restaurants out of curiosity, but we know we have a great product, so customers will come back.” Jess Wolton of Herd
“It’s enormously exciting that the finishing touches are now being put to Riverside North and we look forward to beginning our fit out imminently. Bedford is a growing town with a bright future and we are pleased to be amongst the restaurant, leisure and hotel brands coming to this fantastic new development, complementing the town’s existing dining and entertainment offer and bringing new job opportunities.” Simon Cope, Global Brand Director at wagamama.
“Cinemas have long been an anchor retail business for developments and multi-plexes and as Riverside North nears completion, we are thrilled to be gearing up to fit out our new seven-screen cinema at the heart of this exceptional new development. With Bedford’s population continuing to grow, we are pleased to be bringing the best big screen experience – as well as new job opportunities – to this increasingly vibrant town.” Dominic Rowell, Commercial Director UK & Ireland at Vue Entertainment.
PHOTO CREDIT: GORDON COLLIS
