The Old Isleworth community has come together to raise £10,000 for a community-focused cafe that was struggling to keep up with increasing running costs.
When South Street Coffee and Ice Cream was hit by increased rent, VAT, and energy costs due to the cost of living crisis and the after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it found itself in a difficult financial situation.
Owner Rowan Joyce set up a GoFundMe campaign at the start of October in hopes of raising money to save the cafe – and in just two weeks they had reached £10,000.
Janine Cording, who works at South Street, said: “I was just so overwhelmed by that feeling, it was quite special.
“Two weeks ago, we weren’t going to make it through the winter, it’s such a relief to not wake up and worry about what we’re going to do.”
The cafe has been described as the heart of the community, hosting social activities such as book groups, knitting groups, meditation sessions, and a colouring club.
Cording said: “Being part of the community is important to us, it’s at the heart of what we do really.
“We can see that people value that, because we’ve been so supported.”
South Street opened 12 years ago, aiming to not just be a place people go for coffee and cake, but somewhere fun and bright where they could connect with others and create conversations.
This year, it is planning Christmas entertainment for the Isleworth area, including Christmas carol singing in the town square and children’s face painting.
The owners also recently donated £3,000 to a food bank to help those in need during the winter.
There used to be a food bank in the cafe itself, but it was so inundated with donations that they decided to start a charity shop for the clothes and toys and offer free food vouchers to the neighbouring greengrocers.
Cording said: “We became aware that there was a lot of food poverty in the area, so we started running the food bank and it really took off.
“It’s a really sad thing that so many people were in need, but it is nice that we could provide that for them and help.”
The charity shop, right across the road from South Street Cafe, is manned completely by volunteers.
Despite being such a small space, the shop is packed full of clothes, toys, shoes, sports equipment, and books, showing just how generous the community of Old Isleworth is when it comes to people in need.
Feature image courtesy of Evie James
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Resources like this should be encouraged with reduced rent and rates – being able to socialise keeps people healthy and happy and strong communities reduce the burden on health and social care. Keep baking those fabulous cakes!