Petit Café proves the best things come in small packages

Posted by on 10 Aug 2017

A new continental-style café is cementing Rochdale’s reputation as a town centre which is firmly on the up.

Petit Café is the second new business to open in historic Baillie Street in recent weeks, thanks to support from the council.

The new eatery and coffee shop will be serving traditional cafe food, like paninis and burgers from Monday to Saturday, 9.30am - 4.30pm. They will also be turning their hand to homemade cakes and speciality homemade waffles. More unusual offerings, like cupcakes in cones, are also on the menu.

‘Rochdale is really up and coming’
Couple Anna Rojek and David Oglaza are the team behind the new venture, with David citing the town’s regeneration as a major reason why the couple, who don’t live locally, chose to set up a business here.

David 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.”

Petit Café. Coffee and cakes. Anna Rojek, Councillor Shaun O’Neill and David Oglaza.

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

‘Rochdale town centre has huge potential as a place to do business.’
The new grant offers news businesses opening in selected areas match funding of up to £5,000 grant to help them make permanent improvements to get the property business-ready.

Other businesses to take advantage of the offer include hairdressers and beauty salon Simply Special, also in Baillie Street.

Councillor Shaun O’Neill, chair of Rochdale Township, said: “With smart new businesses like Simply Special, Viccolo Del Vino and now Petit Café all opening up in recent months, it’s fair to say that the word is getting out about the huge potential that Rochdale town centre has as a place to do business.

“Few councils offer the support that we do to help businesses thrive and we’re starting to really feel the benefits of that in our town centres. We recently repaved Baillie Street in historic York stone, so the public realm improvements and new businesses are really contributing to the transformation of this beautiful historic street.”

Financial support for new businesses - find out more about the Rochdale business rates sale, and other grants available to local businesses.