Café operators and caterers invited to bid for contract with charity

Café operators and caterers are invited to bid for a new opportunity with London-based charity Thames Reach.

The charity, which helps homeless and vulnerable people in the capital, is in the process of developing an Employment Academy in Southwark, which will help people back to work.

Thames Reach is seeking an operator to manage and run its new on-site café enterprise and to provide catering services for events within the academy.

Steven McIntosh, property development manager at Thames Reach, said that the café project could boost an operator's corporate social responsibility credentials (CSR) without the need for heavy investment.

"We think that the cafe could be a great opportunity to put something back into the community, helping a very worthy cause and making a difference to a lot of people," he explained.

"Whilst this would take management time, creativity and expertise, it would not require an enormous cash investment as Thames Reach has already purchased the building, is carrying out substantial rebuilding works and may help with the fit out costs, if required."

The café will be self-contained with its own street entrance in a Grade II-listed building but it will also form an integral part of the Thames Reach Employment Academy and will be available to service users, visitors and the public alike.

The event and meeting rooms could also provide the chosen caterer with opportunities to generate further income.

"In a highly competitive market, where CSR says much about a company, we think that this is a project that could attract much positive external PR and a genuine internal feel good factor for being part of a truly special project," added McIntosh.

Email Chris Barber at chris@christopherbarber.me.uk or call 07958 958351 for more details. Deadline is 30 September.

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By Janie Stamford

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