Community welcomes long-awaited lakeside café

Tina Ashman (left) and her friends say they look forward to becoming regulars at the new Thorpe Meadows café

A charity is continuing its regeneration of a city area with the opening of a "long-awaited" café and play area.

The Nene Park Trust says it wants to attract more people to Thorpe Meadows and the rowing lake in Peterborough, with more development planned.

The area is already home to the Peterborough Sculpture Trail and the nearby Ferry Meadows Country Park.

Aimee, who was visiting with her friends and young children, said the café and play area were a "lovely addition" to the area, adding that "it should have happened a long time ago."

Nene Park Trust said it has invested around £400,000 to improve visitor facilities in the area, including the café, toilets and landscaping.

Café manager Hayley Palmer said the response from the local community had been "amazing".

Karen and Aimee said the new café is a "lovely" addition to the area

Tina Ashman and her four girlfriends said they were looking forward to becoming regulars at the site.

"It's wonderful. It has a very impressive playground for the children," Ms Ashman said.

"We have specially walked down from Ferry Meadows to come and have a look at it. It's a very welcome addition to the city and the staff are lovely too."

Karen said: "It's nice. We went for a walk, kids had a nice play in the park and we have just had a drink."

Aimee said: "It was harder to come to the rowing lake with kids. But now you have somewhere to go."

Origin 8 cafe owners Hayley Palmer and her son Kai Palmer said they have felt welcomed by the community

"Everyone has been so supportive and accommodating," Ms Palmer added.

"People from the area, people biking, walking - it's been amazing.

"We look forward to welcoming everyone."

The café is dog-friendly and has toilets available, owners have said