Waterbeach has opened its first new shop, café and community space, giving residents access to everyday essentials and a place to meet and connect as the development begins to take shape.
The flexible building is the first brand new facility to open at the development and has been delivered early to support residents moving into their new homes. It comes ahead of a convenience store, community centre and interim health facility planned for the local centre in Phase 1, with additional shops and amenities to follow in the future town centre.
Operated by Urban Brew, the team behind Waterbeach’s popular lakeside cafe, Brew & Basket offers daily essentials, household basics and toiletries, alongside a growing range of locally sourced products. The team will work with local suppliers and respond to requests from residents as the community grows.
The café serves freshly brewed coffee and teas, cold drinks, beers and wine, as well as a tempting selection of pastries, sandwiches and light bites. With both indoor and outdoor seating (weather permitting), it provides a relaxed and welcoming space for residents and visitors alike.
Designed to operate flexibly, the café space will also act as a community hub, providing room for residents to come together, set up new groups and host activities such as book clubs, quiz nights and yoga classes. The space will also be available for meetings and for sharing updates on plans for the wider development.
Paul Mumford, Project Director for Waterbeach master developer Urban&Civic, said: “This is an important milestone for the development: houses only become homes and places communities when they have local amenities people use and cherish. In the next couple of years, the development will have its own individual convenience store, café and community centre, but we know the importance of these spaces being in as early as possible within new developments. Bringing these amenities all together in this hub, and working with the fantastic Urban Brew team, who want to grow with and respond to the community – as we do – is an important step as we create this amazing place.”
Conveniently located by the Sustainable Travel Hub opposite the first new homes from Cala and Stonebond, Brew & Basket is ideally placed to grab a snack or drink before catching a bus or heading home.
Sukhi from Urban Brew said: “Brew & Basket will provide a welcoming, community-focused space that brings residents together while meeting everyday shopping needs. We aim to blend a small, friendly grocery with a relaxed coffee corner – a place to pick up essentials, enjoy a good cup of coffee, and connect with neighbours.
“As Waterbeach grows, we will expand the grocery range to include fresh produce and local artisan goods, increase staffing from the local area and host regular community events in partnership with Urban&Civic.”
Brew & Basket will be open from 8am to 5pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and 8am to 8pm on Friday and Saturday. It will be closed on Mondays. Details of events and activities will be shared through community noticeboards and social media.
To find out more about the new home, facilities and amenities available and planned at Waterbeach, visit https://waterbeachwb.co.uk
Brew & Basket will provide a welcoming, community-focused space that brings residents together
