Expanded community café opens after receiving grant from county council
A vital community café providing a warm and welcoming space amid the rising cost of living has officially opened in a larger location, along with a garden to grow fresh produce, thanks to a £15,510 grant.
Trent & Dove, a social housing provider based in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, has successfully expanded its Short Street Café in Stapenhill by moving a few doors to a larger unit.
This aligns with its mission to provide homes and services that enable people and communities to thrive.
The café’s growth, driven by strong community support and its commitment to offering low-cost meals, demonstrates resilience when many businesses face challenges.
Following a successful funding application, Trent & Dove was awarded £15,510 from Supportive Communities, a programme managed by the Community Foundation for Staffordshire & Shropshire and funded by Staffordshire County Council.
Martyn Hale, operations director at Trent & Dove, said: “We are delighted to open the newly expanded Short Street Café. At Trent & Dove, we are committed to supporting our customers and the wider community.
“With the cost of living affecting so many, this café offers a warm and welcoming space where people can connect, enjoy an affordable hot meal, and access essential resources.
“Visitors can also charge their phones at no cost, helping them save on electricity, and collect free food items from our Community Fridge.”
The official opening event showcased the café’s improved facilities, including a new kitchen, and featured testimonials from volunteers and community members.
The Coffee Connect van also provided free refreshments. Guests were also invited to explore the Community Garden, which will supply fresh produce for the café in the future.
The project also received vital support from:
- Novus Project Management Ltd, which created an allotment area, installed a large greenhouse and provided raised garden beds.
- Prestec UK Ltd, which installed the kitchen and flooring.
- IHG Hotels & Resorts, which assisted in preparing the garden.
- Local McDonald's staff, who helped with the move.
Martyn Hale added: “This expansion would not have been possible without the support of local organisations such as Novus and Prestec, and the generous grant from Supportive Communities, whose funding has enabled us to enhance our services for even more people.”
The grant was awarded as part of a Community Connections project to enrich Trent & Dove’s Warm Spaces and Coffee Connect Project and to sustain its new Healthy Eating on a Budget Sessions which have been delivered through slow cooker classes in partnership with Central Co-op.
A spokesperson for the Community Foundation for Staffordshire & Shropshire, said: “We're delighted to see the impact the funding has across our county, by improving self-care, life chances, and breaking isolation, for some of our most vulnerable residents.”
Trent & Dove also operates a second café at 181 Hawfield Lane, Winshill.
