Coffee with Art, Bedford

Our client had bought an empty shop with the aim of establishing an independent coffee shop, with an individual style and atmosphere. The grade II Listed building had been identified by Bedford Borough Council as part of their High Street Renewal programme as eligible for the Heritage Lottery Fund’s national Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) funding, which contributed to the economical viability of the project. 

GHA designed and detailed the shopfront using archive photos of the building, whilst accommodating some unfortunately irreversible 20th century structural alterations. We also project managed the building contract, including strict supervision of the build quality. The result is an attractive, well-patronised coffee shop which fulfils the Bedford THI grant obligation by greatly adding to the historic character, quality and commercial success of this part of Bedford High Street.