The Hop Shed Set to Transform Peterborough’s Fletton Quays Riverside

When you stroll along the River Nene and spot a former Greggs bakery being repurposed, you know something’s changing. The freshly approved licence for Fletton Quays’s newest venue, The Hop Shed, signals a shift from the familiar bakery menu to a more upscale bar‑and‑deli experience. This isn’t just a shop swap; it’s part of a broader push to turn Peterborough’s riverside into a bustling mixed‑use hub.

What The Hop Shed Means for Fletton Quays

The Hop Shed will occupy the former Greggs premises, a space that for years served commuters and locals looking for a quick bite. By swapping a fast‑food bakery for a venue that offers craft beers, curated cheese boards, and locally sourced deli fare, the developers hope to draw a different crowd—office workers after a meeting, residents seeking weekend brunch, and tourists exploring the Nene trail.

Peterborough Investment Partnership (PIP), the joint venture behind the regeneration, has long marketed the area as a catalyst for a “riverside economy.” The licence approval, reported in August 2024, is the latest checkpoint in turning that vision into reality. With the bar and deli expected to open later this year, local entrepreneurs are already talking about partnership opportunities, from supplying fresh produce to hosting weekend live music.

From Bakery to Bar: The Shift in Peterborough’s Riverside

Fletton Quays is more than a single building; it’s a 40‑acre masterplan that blends office towers, residential apartments, and public spaces. Since its inception, the scheme has racked up accolades, including two RTPI award nominations and planning awards in 2018 and 2019, underscoring its design excellence.

The development’s infrastructure upgrades have been just as ambitious. Recent improvements include:

• Modern street furniture that encourages lingering and social interaction.
• Secure cycle shelters that support the city’s push for greener commuting.
• A new footbridge spanning the River Nene, linking the north‑side offices with south‑side residential zones.
• Expanded pedestrian pathways that connect to existing waterfront trails.

Already, the area hosts a growing hospitality scene. Bewiched Coffee, a specialty café, has become a morning hotspot, while plans for pop‑up eateries and seasonal food markets are in the pipeline. The Hop Shed will slot into this ecosystem, offering a venue that can host everything from casual lunches to evening networking events.

Economically, the shift matters. Replacing a national bakery chain with an independent bar and deli is expected to retain a larger share of revenue within the community. Local suppliers will see increased demand for artisan bread, cured meats, and craft beverages, creating a ripple effect that benefits farmers, brewers, and logistics firms alike.

For residents, the change adds a social anchor to a neighborhood that has traditionally been office‑centric. Imagine a Sunday afternoon where a family grabs a sandwich, kids play by the river, and a group of freelancers enjoys a pint while working on laptops. That blend of leisure and productivity is exactly what the planners envisioned when they set out to revitalize the riverside.

While the licence approval is a win, the journey isn’t over. The Hop Shed still needs to secure fit‑out contractors, hire staff, and finalize its menu. But the green light from the council shows confidence in the project’s viability and its alignment with the city’s broader growth strategy.

In the coming months, watching the transformation of a familiar bakery façade into a lively bar and deli will offer a tangible glimpse of how Peterborough is redefining its urban identity—one riverside street at a time.