The challenge:

We were approached by Yew Tree Children’s Centre in Liverpool to support the development of a community cafe in its building space.
The area is one of high disadvantage, and a priority for growth and employment initiatives. The Children’s centre houses a GP surgery as well as a range of community services.

Our approach:

We supported the development of the cafe as a social enterprise, offering a business model which was rooted in the local community; and which gave consumers and clients a different, better, fairer, and more ethical way to consume without any loss of quality.
Supporting this community resource meant careful planning, involving local communities, agencies and Sure Start staff. Key achievements included developing an application process, recruitment of a chef, business planning and establishing a value based performance framework for the cafe. The local Business Link Service provided additional support.

The Results:

In early May 2007, Jay’s Cafe opened for business. As well as providing cheap nutritious food for young families, Jay (the manager and chef) offers monthly healthy eating promotions and provides a training place for the local catering college. Twenty five percent of the cafe’s profits are returned to community initiatives in the children’s centre. In 2007, Prime Minister Tony Blair visited the Children’s Centre and met Jay.

“The cafe has brought life to the centre – it is like it now has a heart – it’s wonderful”

Fiona Chambers
Project Manager, Sure Start