'It's like opening again for the first time' - Hartlepool patisserie on grand reopening

Mrs C’s Patisserie in Church Street, Hartlepool, had only been open for three months when lockdown restrictions forced it to shut up at the end of last October.

But owner Louise Carr and her staff were delighted to welcome customers back on May 17 with the relaxing of measures allowing customers to come in and eat once more.

Louise said: “We opened in August last year but after three months we had to shut.

“Today feels like a brand new opening day, just like it did the first time."

The business serves breakfasts, light lunches, and all homemade pastries, cakes and pancakes.

Part of the Central Buildings, the unit has been completely refurbished since Louise took over the former tattoo parlour.

She described it as a shell when they got it.

Louise previously worked as a celebration cake maker from home for seven years before taking on the new venture in late 2019.

Work on the patisserie came to a standstill when the first nationwide lockdown hit in March last year.

But Louise, who employs four other staff, is feeling positive for the future.

"We’re generally run off our feet,” she said. “We’ve got a lot of bookings.”

It comes as Hartlepool Borough Council is working on a range of initiatives to regenerate Church Street and is ploughing millions of pounds into the area.

Sarah Scarr, heritage and countryside manager, said previously: “We need to really strengthen the offer for Church Street to draw people into the area and draw them back into town as well.”

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