Business owners in East Cambridgeshire are saying 'yes' to offering a warm welcome to mothers who breastfeed and pump, as part of a new initiative supported by East Cambridgeshire District Council. 

FreeToFeedCP encourages businesses to sign up as a breastfeeding and pumping friendly business, so mothers can feel relaxed, comfortable and confident feeding their children whilst out of the home.  

The initiative has proven popular in East Cambridgeshire with 12 businesses already pledging their support. 

The FreeToFeedCP initiative is being jointly delivered by the council and NHS Cambridge and Peterborough Healthy Child Programme and is being launched this week as part of World Breast Feeding Week (1 – 7 August). 

Silver Oak Coffee Ltd which runs The Yard in Ely, was the first company to sign up. 

Susanne Stent, owner and director, said: “The Yard was designed to be an inclusive venue. Our original intention was to provide a separate feeding room for mothers however our focus group of mums told us they wanted to be seated with others, and that is what we have provided.” 

Vice chairman of the operational services committee at ECDC, Cllr Alan Sharp, adds: “The FreeToFeedCP initiative is removing barriers to ensure residents and visitors feel comfortable and confident while feeding their children in Ely’s food premises, and is an initiative the council is proud to help facilitate.” 

Businesses signing up to the pledge ensure their employees are trained and they support and defend a mother’s choice of feeding in public, as well as providing a clean and safe environment. 

For more details of FreeToFeed locations, including an interactive map, and how businesses can sign up to the pledge, visit the FreeToFeed page on the council’s website. 

East Cambridgeshire locations 

  • Ely Child and Family Centre - High Barns, Ely, CB7 4RB 
  • Ely Library – 6 The Cloisters, Ely, CB7 4ZH 
  • Ely Wildwood - 15 High Street Ely CB7 4LQ
  • Littleport Child and Family Centre - Littleport Community Primary School, Parsons Lane, Littleport, CB6 1JT 
  • Marmalade and Jam Food Coffee Cake - 27 High St, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4LQ 
  • Peacocks Tearoom – 65 Waterside, Ely, CB7 4AU 
  • Prosper - Richmond House, 16 - 18 Broad Street, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4AH 
  • Soham Child and Family Centre - Pratt Street, Soham, Ely, CB7 5BH 
  • Soham Library – 7 Clay Street, Soham, CB7 5HJ 
  • Sophie's Afternoon Teas and Cakes - 8 Three Cups Walk, Forehill, Ely, CB7 4AN 
  • The Yard by Silver Oak - 35A Newnham Street, Ely, CB7 4PG 
  • Treetops – Unit 12, Lancaster Way Business Park, Ely, CB6 3NW