City Gateway Women’s project today launched a unique new cafe project in Poplar, East London. Part of the Well London initiative, it targets the local community and offers a range of healthy options at subsidised, affordable prices.

Run by social enterprise Flavour Gateway Catering, which employs local people and uses its profits to fund the project, Cafe Relax is based at a Women’s Project which offers free basic level training (in subjects such as English, IT, business admin, childcare) to disadvantaged women. Those studying at the centre will now be able to stay there for lunch and better get to know the other women and staff outside of the classroom.

The cafe will provide both employment and training opportunities and will also be backed up by a team of corporate volunteers coming down to the centre to help local women practice their English. The head chef and trainees are a dedicated ethnically mixed group with a passion for healthy, fresh and international food – after their training and recent market research they are confident the cafe will be a success and meet a real community need.

"I'm feeling really positive about the cafe; HSS Hire’s renovations have made it feel really spacious.  My neighbour has been nagging me for ages about when it's going to open" Chandarani Kaur, Flavour Gateway Head Chef.

On the launch day itself volunteers from State Street Bank, who have a building nearby on the Canary Wharf Estate, came down to help transform the centre for the day. Other Well London partners (including YMCA, Groundworks, Stitches in Time and Poplar HARCA) also ran their own activities. Local residents who have been to the centre before (over 500 are registered) were sent invitations to come along to the free event and sample the dishes on offer.

"This is a really good place for us to get training and also for local people to get a coffee and have lunch." Fanghua Xu, Flavour Gateway Trainee

Beth Johnston, manager of the centre, commented “The cafe will be a focal point at our centre. We are excited as we realise that building relationships and healthy living are important additions to training. The business will not only be a step to make our project sustainable, but also provides an exciting progression route for women, helping them build their confidence in a safe environment.”

Rachel Claydon, who manages the Flavour Gateway social enterprise added “A key aim is to give local women the opportunity to build on their existing skills. The community cafe will also provide access to affordable, healthy food and a hugely valuable social space, both of which are pressing local needs.”

“The nearby Hind Grove Estate has some of the lowest health outcomes in the country; low consumption of fruit and vegetables has been identified by Tower Hamlets PCT as a particular issue.”