Business

Park Cafe at Paddy Freeman's Reopens Under Ciccarelli Gelato

The much-missed cafe at Paddy Freeman's Park, on the doorstep of Jesmond Dene, is serving again -- this time under the family behind Ciccarelli Italian Gelato.

Jesmond.live·14 August 2026

Anyone who walks the Jesmond Dene and Paddy Freeman's circuit will know the small cafe by the park had been shut since January. After months with its shutters down, it is open again -- and this time it is run by one of the North East's best-loved ice cream names.

A familiar name takes over

The cafe has reopened under Ciccarelli Italian Gelato, the family-run business founded in 1966 that started with a single ice cream van and now makes its gelato across the region. Run by the Gregorio family, it opened its doors at Paddy Freeman's on Friday 24 July following a quiet soft launch, and is serving hot and cold drinks, Ciccarelli's own Italian gelato, and light snacks and refreshments.

The family said they plan to add handmade cakes and other locally produced goods over time, to "showcase the fantastic businesses we have in the region."

Why it matters to Jesmond

Paddy Freeman's Park sits right beside Jesmond Dene, and the two green spaces together make one of the neighbourhood's most popular walking loops. The park serves a busy residential area, drawing families to the play area, members of the boating club, and staff, patients and visitors from the nearby Freeman Hospital. Losing the cafe over the winter left a gap in the middle of all that footfall.

Having it back -- and back under a name with genuine local heritage -- is a small but real boost. It gives walkers, dog owners and families somewhere to pause, and it keeps a community building in use rather than standing empty.

What's next

The family has said an extensive refurbishment of the building is planned over the winter to create a better community space, and they intend to work with local groups and the Friends of Paddy Freeman's Park. For now, the kettle is on and the gelato counter is stocked.

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Walking the Dene this weekend? The cafe is a natural stop on the Jesmond Dene and Paddy Freeman's loop. Our Jesmond Dene visitor guide maps out the rest of the route.

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