A long-held ambition to build an indoor community cafe at Bath City Farm has been finally realised as building work broke ground and began on the site at the farm. The charity has secured funding of £500,000 to build the new cafe with contractors Ken Biggs already hard at work.
The cafe has been designed by local architects Hetreed Ross Architects and will have indoor seating for 30 to 40 people with two outdoor terraces with stunning views across Bath. It will be run as a community business with all profits reinvested in the farm, including supporting the farm’s volunteer programs and paying for animal food.
The cafe will also provide several new job opportunities for the local community as well as work experience for some of the farm’s volunteers.
Building will take place over the coming six months with the launch of the cafe anticipated for late spring 2022. It is planned that the new cafe will showcase volunteers work in growing and rearing produce which will then feature in dishes on the cafe menu.
New director at the farm, Brendan Wistreich said, “The whole of Bath City Farm is buzzing about the commencement of the new cafe build. This is the culmination of years of planning and incalculable volunteer hours. We are focused on opening in Spring so there is still lots to do. Thanks to all users of the farm for your support and helping to make this such a great place to be.”