Canbury Secret Cafe

Aim

The Canbury Secret project aims to regenerate a derelict disused toilet block, and convert it into a community artisan café.

The Idea

The aim of the Canbury Secret project is to regenerate a derelict toilet block, which has been out of use since 1984, decaying and attracting antisocial activity, and convert it into a seasonal café serving high quality refreshments and fine foods, especially Italian style artisan coffee and ice cream, Gelato. 

The building, located in Canbury Gardens, Kingston, and its surroundings will be greatly uplifted by way of regeneration, investment, and security. There will be a tangible social and community benefit, with the café providing enjoyment to families out on a riverside walk, dog walkers, cyclists, boat race spectators and people attending concerts at the bandstand. It will provide a calm, car-free, green place to meet up or stop for a coffee, away from the busy centre of Kingston. Pausa Italiana – a break Italian style.

1. The site in Summer 2016  

2. After clearing works have started    

3. Visualisation - Spring 2017

Where

Canbury Gardens is within the North Kingston Conservation Area and is a consistently popular destination near the center of Kingston, on the banks of the River Thames. It is a picturesque park, complete with a bandstand, rowing club, community pavilion, playground, tennis courts and lawn areas very popular for picnics and ball games. However, the site of the disused toilet block has been a blot on the landscape.

Location of the café                                                         

Why

Being part of the local community and visiting Canbury Gardens on a regular basis, we realised there was a lack of refreshments for the increasing population frequenting the gardens. We have a passion for Italian coffee and fine, fresh food and want to make a difference in our own community. We aim to create a home-away-from-home atmosphere and support local and independent suppliers when sourcing for our products.

 Breathing new life into the old toilet building will generate tangible benefits for the local community, as it is a new, sustainable, independent, local business generating employment and lease income for the council. Rather than being an eyesore and a “dark, secret corner” of the gardens, which has provided a secluded spot for antisocial behaviour, it will be a smart, safe area to enjoy refreshments and socialise.

When

After two years of meticulous planning and preparation, clearing and building work is now underway, and we are looking forward to the café opening in April 2017.

What

Love isn’t cheap. We need to raise funds for the improvement of the space:

• Remodel the disused toilet block improving the quality of the area
• Clear and improve the surrounding area conserving and cultivating the green space
• Provide equipment for running the cafe
• Provide seating for patrons

To make this project successful we want to make this entity sustainable and invest in a quality offering. Coffee and ice cream alone won't do this and so we want to provide quality menu choices to compliment our quality coffees. We will focus on serving Italian, artisan products and locally baked goods. We will serve freshly made, healthy Italian artisan gelato alongside some sourdough sandwiches and fresh salads, not to mention some tasty sweet treats and pastries.

Funding

The project involves significant and substantial work for repairing and securing the building and the surrounding area. We are prepared to personally fund a large majority of the cost, but we need your help in raising the full amount needed.

We aim to raise £7,000 as a contribution to cover the immediate repair and external area improvements. This money will pay for:

• Garden furniture (good quality, wooden picnic tables)
• Landscaping work
• Work for drainage, electricity and plumbing
• Litter management facilities
• Security system

 As a thank-you for a donation, we've come up with some lovely little (and big) rewards from free coffees, your name in our thank-you wall, membership cards (will entitle you to lifelong 10% off all purchases) and more – making you part of the Canbury Secret community. If you are located oversea we will find out how to give your rewards!

 Thanks for your help in uplifting Canbury Gardens. Look forward to seeing you there for a coffee!

This project successfully funded on 15th March 2017