We're still collecting donations
On the 3rd August 2024 we'd raised £2,522 with 68 supporters in 21 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
We are seeking support to help Currant Affairs, a great little vegan, vegetarian and ethical shop in Leicester, to MOVE, GROW and THRIVE!
by Sakred Trading CIC in Leicester, United Kingdom
On the 3rd August 2024 we'd raised £2,522 with 68 supporters in 21 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
Hello! I'm Sam. I am a long term committed vegan and passionate about supporting those who are vegan, veggie or curious and looking forward to bringing this passion and fresh energy to securing the future of Currant Affairs for Leicester for the decades to come. I have run various small independent businesses including vegan shops (Dash Vegan), vegan markets (Rainbow Monkey Events) a cafe and a deli too. I'm really passionate about supporting small independent businesses and providing work for people who are marginalised.
Why are we taking on Currant Affairs?
I have a long relationship with Leicester and Currant Affairs as a customer. I also used to regularly trade at the locally run Leicester Vegan Markets and bring my children to Leicester Families Meet Up, so when in February 2024 Ruth, the current owner, asked me if I would be interested in being the next caretaker of Currant Affairs I was really excited about the potential of continuing such a special business which has many elements close to my heart.
As many of you know, Currant Affairs is a legacy business for Leicester (over 40 years) that has operated under various ownership, and although it was time for Ruth to step away, to opportunities new, she wanted to create the opportunity for this special and unique place to continue for the next generations of customers, staff and the community that surrounds and supports it.
Together we have been working hard to make this handover a reality.
My business partner David is passionate about community projects and is one of the leading cultural project developers in the UK. We have spent lots of time and energy on researching whether this could work and we are really excited at the prospect of what we can bring to Currant Affairs.
The history of the shop is hugely important to us. We want to honour this by continuing the popular offerings while introducing new elements which will hopefully bring a new level vibrancy and support.
As many of you know, Leicester has a rich history in terms of veggies and vegans and it is the birthplace of the term "vegan" created by Donald Watson in 1944!
For this reason, it feels special to have the opportunity to be a part of the future of the Original Vegan Shop in the Leicester.
One of the big changes we will make is running Currant Affairs as a community interest company. We hope this will allow us to continue to offer supported work environments, a level of community run social enterprise involvement, and to continue to provide a friendly, accessible, in person shopping and takeaway experience for those who are vegan, veggie or just curious about plantbased eating.
A little about the history
There has been a wholefood veggie shop at 9a Loseby Lane since 1979/81.
We understand that the takeaway element of food cooked fresh on the premises was introduced around 1986 and at that point the site became known as Currant Affairs.
In 2009 Ruth’s father took on the business and Ruth took over when her father sadly passed on in 2015, at this point transitioning the business to being fully vegan.
Currant Affairs, often affectionately known to local customers as “the little yellow shop”, is such a popular store for people who are veggie and vegan or have food allergies and intolerances, as well as those who enjoy locally produced food.
The friendly service of the committed staff, who are a fantastic team, is essential to what we intended to continue to offer and the transition of ownership will protect the employment of those who are happily choosing to move with us. We are also hoping to provide jobs for 2 more new staff members and are committed to providing employment for marginalised groups.
Currant Affairs has great links with a number of local independent food producers whose products are popular in the shop including Paul’s Bakery, Soyu - a tofu producer and an Indian family business who produce the ever-popular samosas and onion bhajis. We are looking forward to continuing to work with these businesses and to build relationships with more small producers which will allow us to offer a wider range of fantastic goods.
It is really important to us to not just maintain such a unique shop - Leicester’s only fully vegan shop - for the customers, community, staff and the suppliers, but also for us to help it to grow into the vibrant shop we know it can be.
The BIG news - a new location!
We had originally hoped to be able to continue at the current location however the opportunity to move to 9 Silver Walk in St Martin's Square (just around the corner from 9a Loseby Lane!) presented it's self unexpectedly and we realised it was the perfect move for the future in order to allow Currant Affairs to thrive and grow for many years to come. This new location offers us more flexibility and a beautiful downstairs shop area which is much bigger.
It has a lovely light laminate floor and DOUBLE BAY WINDOWS!!!!!!! Importantly, we also feel very well supported by the new landlords who really want Currant Affairs and us as tenants and are committed to helping us to grow.
The new location provides the perfect space for us to take Currant Affairs in the exciting directions we would love to see it develop in, such as offering supper clubs, cookery classes, seating areas, zero waste dispensers and offer "pop up" opportunities for other small producers to showcase their amazing goods.
It is our hope that, with your help, the new location will give us the space to grow our product range and offering and that this will help Currant Affairs to not just survive but also to grow and thrive for the next 40 years :0)
Why are we Crowdfunding and what will money be used for?
We are Crowdfunding for two main reasons – Firstly, and most importantly we want to introduce ourselves and let you know the news about the new direction for Currant Affairs including the change of location.
We can’t emphasise enough how committed we are to making a success of this project and continuing the legacy of a 100% Vegan Business for Leicester and the surrounding areas.
But we are also looking for some financial support to enable us to take this step, if you are able to give it. We would really like to have you as a partner on this exciting journey!
The challenge of the new site is that there is no kitchen upstairs and this will require works to be carried out, all of which will cost money and take a little time!
We are reusing as much as we possibly can from the old site but there are the works we need to carry out before we can have a working kitchen and shop - plumbing the kitchen; rewiring both upstairs into the kitchen and downstairs for the retail fridges and freezers; ventilation/extraction system; flooring and wall lining the kitchen for the best hygiene rating and moving and fitting all the equipment from Loseby Lane.
We will also need to purchase a new hot water system, dishwasher (second hand), washing machine (second hand), sink units and deli counter (second hand) plus a new till system for the shop and a new security system.
We want to provide a wonderful space which is welcoming to all, vegans, vegetarians, people who care about what they eat and support local organic and independent suppliers; and we really want to do this with the wonderful Leicester community - and perhaps even beyond!!!
When can we expect to receive our Rewards?
Depending on what you choose as your Rewards, some, such as goody bags, will be available within a few weeks of the Crowdfunder closing and others, such as the Experiences, will be arranged for a date later in August or September.
How else can you help?
If you can't afford to donate but would still like to help Currant Affairs to Move, Grow and Thrive, you can help us by:
HUGE THANKS FOR READING THIS AND CONSIDERING SUPPORTING OUR CROWDFUNDER!
We look forward, with our fingers crossed, to seeing you at Currant Affairs soon!
Sam, David and the Team at Currant Affairs.
This project offered rewards