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An experienced restaurateur has returned to Bedford after 37 years to  open an all-Italian eatery in Tavistock Street.

This will be opened and ran by the owners sons, their dreams has always been to start a restaurant business. As they spent a lot of time learning the fundamentals for cooking, they have brought their expertise in innovative Italian cooking back to Bedford for everyone to taste.
The venue also boasts a wine bar and a cellar party area, which can be hired out  for private functions of up to 75 guests

Read more: http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/pictures/GALLERY-Harpur-s-gets-Italian-job-Don-Graziano/pictures-23039688-detail/pictures.html#ixzz3FSeZzrPr
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Shoppers will be able to park for free in Bedford on Saturdays in a major bid to boost town centre retail.

Bedford mayor Dave Hodgson today announced that all council-run car parks will offer two hours of free parking on Saturdays.

The move will open up thousands of car parking spaces in the centre of town and is a move to entice people back into town to shop.

Under the mayor’s Free Parking Deal, everyone using any of the council surface and multi-storey car parks in the town centre will get their first two hours’ parking free on Saturdays, for the first time.

Mayor Dave Hodgson said: “We want to send the message out to everyone locally and further afield that Bedford is open for business.

“We have delivered real-terms cuts in shoppers’ parking charges year after year and now we want to go even further in support of residents and local businesses.

“There are severe ongoing challenges for all town centres, but Bedford is bucking the wider trend with vacancy rates falling and footfall rising and we have an opportunity to deliver a real boost on top of the progress we have already seen.

“That’s why we hope that free Saturday parking will help make the difference when people are deciding whether to come and enjoy Bedford town centre’s mix of excellent independent shops, national chains and opportunities for eating, drinking and leisure.

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East West Rail Link[2] is a planned railway route linking the Great Western Main Line, Oxford, Bicester, Milton Keynes, Bedford, Cambridge, Ipswich and Norwich in England using part of the former Varsity Line. The western section from Oxford to Bedford was approved by the Government in November 2011, with completion expected in 2019.

The plan is divided into three sections. A 'Western section' from Oxford and the Great Western Main Line at Didcot to Bedford on existing lines, including the mothballed section between Bletchley and Claydon. A 'central section' from Bedford to Cambridge using some existing lines together with a new section and an 'Eastern section' from Cambridge to Norwich, Felixstowe and Ipswich on existing lines. It is being promoted by the East-West Rail Consortium, a consortium of local authorities and interested bodies along the route.

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The government will help small businesses like the pudding club when they take out loans and are unable to pay them back right away.

They will also provide them with help and support i.e. advice.

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A £3million scheme to revitalise Bedford High Street will be officially launched in Bedford town centre on Wednesday 7th September.

The Bedford High Street Townscape Heritage Initiative will bring significant benefits to local businesses and residents by restoring traditional shop fronts, upgrading building facades, reinstating lost architectural details, bringing upper floors back into use as well as carrying out vital structural works. The initiative will run for five years, with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Bedford Borough Council, Bedford BID and local business owners and landlords.

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Local delivery of the national Rural Broadband Programme (to deliver 90% superfast broadband coverage) is now seeing results on the ground in the Borough with the project’s first local superfast cabinet going live on 20th June.

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The Bedford Bus Station area is currently undergoing a major regeneration which, when completed, will significantly improve this vital gateway into Bedford town centre.

Work to demolish and replace the bus station building itself is now underway. This means there are changes to some bus services as well as disabled parking and taxi provision.

This visual improvement of the bus station will also aim to attract small businesses to set up in the terminal of the bus station, this will mainly be businesses such as small cafes and small restaurants and convenience shops.

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Work has begun on a multi-million
pound development project in Bedford town centre, with the town hall being demolished.

The town hall is being knocked down and replaced with a privately-funded £35m leisure development.

Riverside North will include homes, restaurants, and a multi-screen
cinema.

Riverside North will take around 18 months to finish.

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This approximately 2.1 kilometre road scheme is located to the West of Bedford and to the North of Biddenham.  It will link to Phase 1 of the Bedford Western Bypass at the A428 Bromham Road/Deep Spinney roundabout junction via a crossing of the London Midland Mainline Railway line to the A6 Paula Radcliffe Way/A6 Clapham Road roundabout junction.

It is anticipated that as a result of the scheme businesses will benefit from reduced traffic congestion and increased journey time reliability.  It is further anticipated that a reduction in traffic accidents, delays, congestion and vehicle operating costs will greatly assist all stakeholders and road users.

Bedford Borough Council is funding the Bypass and confirmation of the final contribution of £2.5 million towards the scheme was received on 7 July 2014.

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The Bedford and Milton Keynes aim is to build a new 20 mile link between the River Great Ouse in Bedford and the Grand Union Canal at Newlands in Milton Keynes.

Every 2 years there is a meeting held where they discuss how to improve the canals using all their resources.

This is everyone who is involved in this project:

Bedford Borough Council

Bedford & MK Waterway Trust

Canal and River Trust

Central Bedfordshire Council

Environment Agency

Marston Vale Trust

Milton Keynes Council

The Parks Trust.