Takeaways will be available at new Bridges Espresso Bar and Naughty Pizza at Bedford's Riverside complex

The final two council units at the Riverside complex have been given the mayor's seal of approval.

Although Bridges Espresso Bar and Naughty Pizza are already open to the public, mayor Dave Hodgson performed the traditional ribbon cutting for the independently owned businesses.

And following the Prime Minister's announcement on Saturday of a second lockdown, takeaways will be available from both venues from Thursday.

The mayor said: “It was great to cut the ribbon on these two businesses, officially welcoming them to Riverside Bedford. This complex really has brought our town centre on to the beautiful riverside with Vue Cinema, Premier Inn, restaurants including Miller & Carter, Zizzi’s and Wagamamas, and now these two independents joining them and Albero Lounge on Riverside Square."

Brother and sister business owners, Daniel Steele and Beckie Fry of Bridges Espresso Bar, said: “It has taken a couple of years to get to this point and be able to open Bridges Espresso Bar to the public but we are happy to be trading and to be part of the Riverside Bedford development.

“We have used local companies to fit-out the premises and source local based products and produce for our food and drinks. Supporting local businesses is becoming ever more important and we welcome the great feedback we have had so far from customers since trading and look forward to operating alongside the other great independent and national businesses at Riverside.”

Bart Misztal, from Naughty Pizza, said: “Our main business is supplying high-quality pizza ovens, but we decided to put our experiences and skills together to make outstanding Italian pizzas.

“The idea for a Naughty Pizza was born five years ago but the team were waiting for the perfect location in Bedford. When we saw Riverside setting, it was the one. This is our fourth outlet in the UK and we hope there will be many more.”