24th April 2009 for event on 29th April
Cafe has a new Community Flavour
On the 29th April City Gateway Women’s project is opening 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, will be coming down to help transform the centre for the day. Other Well London partners (including YMCA, Groundworks, Stitches in Time and Poplar HARCA) will also be running activities. Local residents who have been to the centre before (over 500 are registered) have been 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.”

The Cafe Relax launch event takes place on Wednesday 29th April, from 12:00-2:00pm at Lansbury Lodge, 117 Ricardo Street, London, E14 6EQ. Any journalists wishing to attend should contact Jerry Daykin (jerry@citygateway.org.uk) in advance.

-ENDS-

Notes for Press:

City Gateway is a charity dedicated to bringing hope to the local communities of Tower Hamlets that haven't benefitted from the area’s wider economic development. We look to connect with local women and disadvantaged young people, and run programmes which engage them, train them and provide them with the skills and opportunities they need to enter work. We were set up by a group of City workers keen to support the community around them.
We run women’s projects, youth training, a youth centre and a social enterprise hub - offering disadvantaged individuals everything from community events and drop-in youth clubs through to apprenticeship schemes and the chance to develop their own business ideas. We look to bring together different cultures and work against conflict and division.

jerry@citygateway.org.uk
07905 608 721
www.citygateway.org.uk
www.citygateway.org.uk/news/blog

Flavour Gateway Catering is an exciting new enterprise based in Tower Hamlets and part of City Gateway’s social enterprise hub. We offer organisations across the City and East London an opportunity to taste the multi-cultural flavour of the area ranging from South Asian specialities to traditional British cuisine. All of our dishes are fresh and full of flavour, always including healthy options. We specialise in buffet lunches and finger food, and enjoy working in partnership with you to meet your specific needs.
 
The business has been developed by the Enterprise Hub of local regeneration charity City Gateway. While offering a high quality and professional service, Flavour Gateway is also a social enterprise, providing training and employment opportunities for unemployed local women and running Cafe Relax, a community café in Poplar whilst financially supporting City Gateway.

rachel.claydon@flavourgateway.com
07738 129 875
www.flavourgateway.com