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New owner on menu at cafe
Barry Blakesley has signed a contract to re-open the former Cafe Limon. (METP-01-06-11BD102) Picture: Ben Davis/Peterborough ET
The former Cafe Limon site which has languished empty for nearly three years in Peterborough city centre is set to be transformed into a new high-end eaterie.
City catering entrepreneur Barry Blakesley says he is delighted to have finally signed on the dotted line to take over the former Cafe Limon site in Bridge Street after months of wrangling with Peterborough City Council officials.
Mr Blakesley, who trained as a chef at the Savoy Hotel, was a regular customer at the cafe before it closed in 2008. He is set to launch his new venture in the prime location beneath Peterborough Town Hall in six weeks time.
And to mark the start of a new era, the premises will have a new name - The Clock Restaurant - after the historic Whateley Paviour timepiece which hangs above the cafe and has been a Peterborough landmark for 140 years.
Hours after contracts were completed on Tuesday afternoon, work had already begun on a £30,000 transformation of the cafe.
The revamp will see the number of covers inside rise to 65 with negotiations well under way, with the council to create an outside space to rival that of Petit Fours nearby.
Mr Blakesley said: “I am really excited about this cafe as it is a fantastic space and a great location. I think we can develop something really great for Peterborough and make Bridge Street a real food destination point.
“Being an independent retailer means I have the freedom to adapt and change the menu as the weeks go along. Although we will start with sandwiches, baked potatoes and normal cafe fare we will soon introduce a range of simple but tasty hot lunches such as pasta dishes.”
Lincoln-born Mr Blakesley (39) has lived in Peterborough for the last nine years and has more than 20 years catering experience.
He did a full apprenticeship with the Savoy Group, working at the hotel and Simpsons in the Strand before working in the pastry department of Harrods for five years.
He also runs the restaurant for Bauer Media, in Lynchwood, Peterborough, and hopes to employ 20 staff.
Mr Blakesley explained that his vision for the cafe involved creating an office, staff area and a family area in the basement - which used to be the finance vaults for the city council - to give customers a place to change and feed children in comfort.
An alcohol licensing application which has to be considered by the council has also been proposed by Mr Blakesley who said he believed a continental cafe-style culture can thrive in Peterborough.
He said: “I think that independent companies work well in making places like Brighton and Cambridge real destinations.
“Hopefully we can hold bistro-style evenings as well and help boost the night-time economy,
And leader of the council Marco Cereste vowed he would be Mr Blakesley’s first customer.
He said: “It has taken a long time but we have finally got the right tenant who will complement our policy and deliver our aspirations for a cafe culture style,
“TK Maxx have said they are currently getting 35,000 footfall a week, so think of all those people walking down Bridge Street and wanting somewhere to eat, its a great opportunity and we will support him all the way,”
Troubled history of Cafe Limon
THE location has remained empty for almost three years after bailiffs stepped in when the occupants failed to pay outstanding rent of more than £85,000 in September 2008.
Since then there have been three potential occupants. The first was a bid from fryer Matt Bedford whose proposals for a £150,000 fish and chip restaurant were controversially rejected in June 2009 because they did not fit with Peterborough City Council’s “aspirational plans” for the city centre. Council chiefs were poised to sign up a new restaurant operator before Christmas but the firm dramatically pulled out.
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Weather for Peterborough
Wednesday 22 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 9 C to 11 C
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