Brandon's Bristol cafe gets a makeover

Our Saint Stephen’s Café social enterprise is open for business again after having an extensive kitchen makeover.

The café, located off Corn Street in Bristol city centre, has benefited from grants totalling £12,000 from John Lewis, The Society of Merchant Venturers and law firm Burges Salmon, which has been put towards new kitchen equipment including a cooker, dishwasher and coffee machine, as well as food preparation units.

Having the redesign has also provided extra space and a modernised area for staff to work in and serve customers. The café offers training and paid supported employment opportunities to people with learning disabilities and autism. There are currently nine trainees working alongside support staff – four are employed and the other five are training.

The café uses locally sourced ingredients and offers a variety of freshly cooked hot dishes, homemade soups and cakes plus vegetarian options, with an extensive lunch menu and refreshments available from 9.30am-3.30pm, Monday to Friday. They also offer a delicious buffet menu as well as being available to cater for specific events and functions.

It is very much a community hub with regular social events and exhibitions held at the venue, alongside concerts in the adjoining church.

Locality manager Jo Cullum said: "Customers are supporting a really good social enterprise. The café is not only a great place to eat and drink, but it’s creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities.”

To find out more about Saint Stephen’s Café please visit their Facebook page www.facebook.com/SaintStephensCafe/