Local Café?

At the AGM this week the subject of the lack of a good local café came up. The feeling was that the demographic of the area has changed and that we are crying out for such a thing - a friendly place where people could drop in, work (if there was internet access) if they work from home, meet friends, and that would have a good community feeling. A really good example is The Front Room in Tollington Park, in Finsbury Park. It's a friendly, funky place, furnished with quirky bits and pieces, with very much a community feeling - the people who come in know each other! Some people even go there for business meetings. They have tables outside where you can sit in the summer, and it's always busy. If you are around that area, check it out, or go to:
Any suggestions for Bowes Park?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Hilary Scott on April 19, 2011 at 11:09
I have been to the Front Room in Finsbury Park and can highly recommend it too.  This links in with the discussion going on via Kate Franzmann about setting up a local Arts Centre as including a cafe in that project was one of the ideas being discussed.  Does this neede joining up into one project?
Permalink Reply by Jane Perry on April 19, 2011 at 13:11

Hello All,

 

Well, I'm working later than I thought this eve, so sadly won't be able to attend - however, I really look forward to hearing the outcome!  Will check in on the Forum to see the updates.

Have a good meeting this eve!
Jane

 

Permalink Reply by Olivia Macdonald on April 19, 2011 at 20:48
Sorry everyone, I also didn't make it as I was working until 7.  However, still very interested and have a sofa and two armchairs that could be contributed if the need arises.  Hopefully someone from the meeting will post an update.
Permalink Reply by Anna Blackburn on April 21, 2011 at 13:56
Thanks, Diana, for talking to the Drink, Shop and Do people.  I would love to come and see them and would be free one morning or any of those evenings after 9.30pm.  If there's a choice, I'd prefer it not to be a Wednesday - Tuesday's are best ideally.  However it'd be a push to do it before the week beginning 9 May as I 'll be on holiday in France and then very busy over the latter part of that previous week.
Permalink Reply by Jane on April 21, 2011 at 14:08

Hi DIana , I would be interesting in coming along to the drink shop and drop and the evenings are good for me

THanks

Jane

Diana Ferguson said:

Hello everyone

It was good to meet you all at the Ranelagh last night. I said I would speak to the people at Drink Shop & Do and ask them if we could have a chat to them about how they started, as a pop-up, and get any advice they can give.

Coralie, one of the owners, said that's fine. She suggested some time one morning but I imagine a lot of you wouldn't be able to make that because of work. The alternative is to meet Coralie at DS&D one evening, after 9.30 when it's quieter (it's obviously very successful).

 

If that works for those of you who want to come - I'd suggest not too many - please could you send me some evening dates - pref a Tues, Wed or Thu, Coralie says – and we can see if we can coordinate.

 

Thanks.

Diana

Permalink Reply by Jane on April 21, 2011 at 19:16


Diana Ferguson said:

Ok everyone how about I suggest a date to get it moving? Either the evening of Tuesday 10 May or eve of Thu 11 May? I think we'd probably only want a small group - say, no more than five - we don't want to swamp the poor woman! So maybe the first five who say yes: Laura, Anna, Jane so far? And me. Room for one or two more. 

If we could fix on one of those dates, I'll then get in touch with Coralie to book.

 

Could this become a reality? Very exciting.

Diana

Permalink Reply by Jane on April 21, 2011 at 19:17
Yes Thursday would be fine for me
Permalink Reply by Anna Blackburn on April 21, 2011 at 19:20

I can either of those dates too.

 

Anna

Permalink Reply by Cathy Herman on April 22, 2011 at 11:14

There is a place half way down Middleton Road on left hand side-going towards Marlborough Rd-that is empty and used to do kebabs,fish and chips........might be worth a look

Cathy

Permalink Reply by Nell Riches on April 25, 2011 at 22:30

Hi everyone

This discussion is fantastic and so encouraging - I can't believe I missed the recent BPCA meeting but we were on holiday. My husband and I (Mat Riches, BPCA trustee) are actually planning to open a cafe/shop/bar/events this year. We have a certain amount of capital that we want to invest in Bowes Park but we will definitely need community support in various forms as it is a big risk to take in the current climate.

We really want set up on Myddleton Road but there is obviously a serious lack of a decent vacant venue. We are planning to start looking at all options during the next few weeks, but if anyone has any suggestions please do let us know. Cathy's tip off about the 'kebab, fish' place is great and it'll be our first port of call.

Drink, Shop & Do is fantastic and if Coralie has any top tips it would be great if we could meet to discuss / brainstorm, or if there aren't too many people going I'd love to come along. I'm currently Development Manager at notonthehightstreet.com and I'm meeting a number of designer-makers who sell through the website there on the 18th May too.

We're also really inspired by Litro opposite the Arsenal stadium, which is definitely worth a visit.

We're going to have limited resources to start with, particularly cash but also in terms of gathering market research, then when we're open we may need volunteers for events etc. Our focus is all about 'local' - we want local suppliers for almost everything and to involve local people... so it seems that this discussion has come at the perfect time!

Nell & Mat

 

Permalink Reply by Cathy Herman on April 26, 2011 at 8:23
Great to see this all coming together. It has been such an important issue in Bowes Park for a long time and I think that anyone starting such a venture can be sure of local support. Really looking forward to having somewhere to visit locally. 
Nell Riches said:

Hi everyone

This discussion is fantastic and so encouraging - I can't believe I missed the recent BPCA meeting but we were on holiday. My husband and I (Mat Riches, BPCA trustee) are actually planning to open a cafe/shop/bar/events this year. We have a certain amount of capital that we want to invest in Bowes Park but we will definitely need community support in various forms as it is a big risk to take in the current climate.

We really want set up on Myddleton Road but there is obviously a serious lack of a decent vacant venue. We are planning to start looking at all options during the next few weeks, but if anyone has any suggestions please do let us know. Cathy's tip off about the 'kebab, fish' place is great and it'll be our first port of call.

Drink, Shop & Do is fantastic and if Coralie has any top tips it would be great if we could meet to discuss / brainstorm, or if there aren't too many people going I'd love to come along. I'm currently Development Manager at notonthehightstreet.com and I'm meeting a number of designer-makers who sell through the website there on the 18th May too.

We're also really inspired by Litro opposite the Arsenal stadium, which is definitely worth a visit.

We're going to have limited resources to start with, particularly cash but also in terms of gathering market research, then when we're open we may need volunteers for events etc. Our focus is all about 'local' - we want local suppliers for almost everything and to involve local people... so it seems that this discussion has come at the perfect time!

Nell & Mat

 

Permalink Reply by Kari Koonin on April 26, 2011 at 8:40
I've come into the discussion really late due to pressures of work etc but can I just say how exciting it sounds and how wonderful it is to read everyone's ideas. It's such a friendly community - it would/will be really great to have a spot where we can meet. I'd like to help in any way I can if and when the time comes!

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