Petit Café opens on Baillie Street

Petit Café owners Anna Rojek and David Oglaza

Petit Café, which opened recently on Baillie Street, is serving traditional cafe food, like paninis and burgers from Monday to Saturday, 9.30am - 4.30pm. Alongside homemade cakes and speciality homemade waffles will be more unusual offerings, like cupcakes in cones.

Anna Rojek and David Oglaza are the team behind the new venture, with Mr Oglaza citing the town's regeneration as a major reason why the couple, who don't live locally, chose to set up a business here.

He said: "The town is being rejuvenated and Rochdale is really up and coming. Baillie Street will be the main link between Yorkshire Street and the new cinema complex and shopping centre when it opens, so it's a fantastic location. A lot of new businesses have been opening recently and I know there are more on the way. A lot of businesses have told me that we're getting in at a really good time, as there is so much going on.

"I think Rochdale could really benefit from having more places where you can just sit and have a nice coffee and cake, so I'm pleased that the council are helping people like us contribute to the variety of businesses in Rochdale town centre."

The enterprising pair spent £20,000 renovating the grade II listed property, including a new ceiling, new flooring and signage, and they have applied for the council's new business renovation grant to help meet the cost.

The grant offers businesses opening in selected areas match funding of up to £5,000 to help them make permanent improvements to get the property business-ready.