This Saturday saw the opening of Cambridge's new branch of Patisserie Valerie, on the corner of Jesus Lane and Bridge Street.

At 10:30 am, the cafe's opening was celebrated in French style, with can-can dancers handing out balloons and cakes. James Counsell, President-Elect of the Cambridge Union Society, was called upon to perform the official opening ceremony.

Patisserie Valerie cafes serve continental breakfasts, cakes, sandwiches and snacks alongside speciality teas and Illy coffees. With nothing on the everyday menu priced above £8.95, and jam doughnuts available for a reasonable £1.50, the bakery is set to become a favourite amongst the student population in Cambridge.

The first branch of Patisserie Valerie was opened in Soho in 1926. Now under the ownership of the investment firm Risk Capital Partners, the chain is growing nationally. There are eight sites in the Central London area alone, and cafes have recently been opened in Bristol, Oxford, and Milton Keynes.