New café Kahvila Laikku opens in Tampere’s old library by Kirjastonpuisto on 1 September

According to the City of Tampere, Kahvila Laikku will open in the old library building by Kirjastonpuisto in Tampere city centre on Tuesday 1 September at 9:00. It will offer an informal, open space for people to rest or work.

The new café follows the Laikku festival in June and comes as the city plans to extend self-service library hours from 1 September the city's decision to extend self-service library hours.

Café manager Maiju Varjus says customers can arrive "just as they are" and that no one will be left hungry. The menu, developed by Varjus together with Livelaboratorio Tampere Oy chef Ilkka Isotalo, focuses on handmade, fresh café food: fragrant pastries, a lunchtime selection and rotating pies. It blends British afternoon tea ideas with the Finnish tradition of "seven kinds" of baked goods.

Annamaija Saarela, CEO of Livelaboratorio, highlighted planned synergies with the neighbouring G Livelab Tampere, including artist meet-ups and pre-concert gatherings.

From 1 September the café will be open Tuesday–Friday 9:00–20:00 and Saturday 10:00–18:00. From October it will also serve Sundays, 10:00–18:00. The opening week culminates with a performance by the duo of Liila Jokelin and Teemu Markkula on Saturday 5 September at 14:00.