When Brew coffee shop opened in Ramsgate High Street in June, filling the vacant unit left by the British Heart Foundation, they offered a new venue selling fresh coffee, pastries baked on site and a fresh sandwich bar.
And less than two months later bosses Lorraine Edney and Rhys Huelin are planning to expand the shop to create a community pop up kitchen and hub.
The pair are aiming to raise £15,000 through a crowdfunder to help them convert the rear of the shop into a space to be used by small producers, pop up chefs and isle artisans.
On their fundraising page the pair say: “We envision a space that transcends beyond being just a kitchen; it will be a melting pot of culinary creativity, a platform for local artisans and small food businesses to showcase their skills and flavours, and a haven where community groups can come together for events, workshops, and gatherings.
“One of the primary objectives of the pop up is to provide a launchpad for aspiring chefs and small-scale food producers. We understand the hurdles they face in starting their businesses, and our pop-up kitchen will offer them an affordable and accessible space to promote their menus. This support will not only benefit them financially but also give them exposure and valuable feedback from the community.”
The Brew bosses also want community organisations to use the hub for free for meetings, workshops, fundraisers, and events.
The fundraiser will help pay for professional-grade kitchen equipment, interior renovations and marketing.
Rewards are being offered to fundraising backers including exclusive access to the launch event, tasting sessions with local chefs, and more.
Rhys said: “Between us we have many years of experience in catering. Brew has been open roughly six weeks but we can already see a need for a community focused kitchen space to allow future chefs and restaurant owners to showcase their wares and gain valuable feedback. The space will also be used as a hub for community projects and groups to use for meetings and events.”
Lorraine and Rhys say backing the campaign will be “investing in the local economy, empowering small producers, and embracing an inclusive and thriving community space.”
Find the fundraising page at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/introducing-brew
