City Building has boosted a Glasgow community café’s plans to expand after donating much needed catering equipment.
The Glasgow-based construction company provided growing social enterprise Milk Café, which is based in the Govanhill area of the city, with an integrated coffee machine and fridge. Both items had previously been on display in the firm’s Darnick Street headquarters. A brand new microwave was also gifted to the café from City Building supplier Thain Commercial.
The donation will help Milk Café’s plans to grow. Established in 2015 by two local residents Angela Ireland and Gabby Cluness to provide employment, training and support to refugees and migrant women the café is now introducing an outside catering service. The new service is expected to create further jobs.
Milk Café’s contribution to Govanhill has been recognised by a number of awards. Last year it was a finalist in the Evening Times Community Champions and it was also runner up in the Best Ethical Food Project category at the Observer Food Magazine Awards 2017.
City Building arranged the donation in partnership with Govanhill Housing Association.
Lyn Ewing Chair of Govanhill Community Development Trust said:
“Milk Café is a fantastic resource for Govanhill. In addition to helping refugee and migrant women to gain skills and employment it has become a real community hub, offering a wide range of activities from language classes to open mic nights.
“We were delighted to be able to support them to expand and grow through securing this donation as well as access to a local catering kitchen. This is a key part of the Trust’s mission to encourage new and existing social enterprises in Govanhill. We wish Milk every success, and hope that they continue to go from strength to strength.”
Councillor Greg Hepburn, Chair of City Building, said: “City Building is committed to improving inclusion not only in our own workforce but also in the communities we serve. We’re great admirers of Milk Café, and its achievements, and we’re proud that our donation will support its ambitious plans to grow.”
Angela Ireland, founder of the Milk Café, said “We really appreciate the donation of the equipment; kind offers like this go a long way to helping us to achieve our community aims. We are excited about the growth of the business and we are looking forward to working with more like minded partners in Govanhill.”
