A GOURMET pizza kitchen, coffee specialist, bakery, pie shop, a cocktail bar, micro-pub and restaurant specialising in smoked meat are among the new businesses planned for Middlesbrough’s independent quarter.
The redevelopment of empty premises currently ongoing on Bedford Street in the town centre is due to be completed by December this year.
Middlesbrough Council has now selected the eight independent food and beverage businesses that will help make a reality of the ambition for a “21st Century culinary bazaar”.
The development of Bedford Street follows on from the success of the adjacent Baker Street which has seen a series of niche new businesses open up over the past 24 months including eateries, micro-pubs, salons and vintage clothes shops.
Public realm works to improve the look of Bedford Street will take place in October to complement the vastly improved terraced properties currently being worked on.
Middlesbrough’s Deputy Mayor and Executive Member for Regeneration, Cllr Charlie Rooney, said: “The vision for Bedford Street is for it to be a thriving centre of independent food and drink outlets with unique offerings.
“The businesses that have been chosen to open following the redevelopment works are exactly that and represent an exciting complement to the town’s existing offer.
“Baker Street has proved hugely popular with the public and there is no doubt that Bedford Street will now add to the buzz – even more so when you look beyond this phase or redevelopment and towards the next.”
The phased programme will next see proposals to redevelop Church House into residential accommodation, for a food market and the revamping of Bedford House in Phase Three and to push the momentum along Grange Road, Albert Road and Linthorpe Road in Phase Four.
There are also plans to work with local artists to revitalise and to open up to the public the alleyway between Baker and Bedford Street.