Costa, the authentic Italian coffee shop chain, has just opened in the High St in Stamford, and judging by the first few days it is going to be a roaring success.

The Garden House Hotel has long been established as one of Stamford’s most agreeable hotels, with a friendly country house feel about it and a charming garden.

Sadie and her brother Leon are setting up an Italian bistro called Cloisters in St Mary’s St, where the Greek Affair used to be. Their dad formerly ran a pizza parlour on this site for many years, and he is helping them to get started.

The Tobie Norris has just won a CAMRA Gold award for the complete re-furbishment of the pub and the re-introduction of real ales. John Hunt, Vice-Chairman of Peterborough and District CAMRA said in the citation “This refurbishment has been an incredible achievement, it is awesome and fantastic. Will Fry is a very capable landlord and his beers are superb, and congratulations are also due to Simon, the master brewer of Ufford Ales, and Mick Thurlby, the owner, who had the vision to see through the project.”