NORTHLEACH has opened its first community owned and run café.

The Black Cat Café opened in September with the aim of benefitting the local community.

It has been opened with the help of community interest company, Northleach Church and Town Enterprise, which will continue to help run the service.

Rob Elliott, who works for the enterprise, said: “The company is not for personal profit.”

“All the money it makes goes back into the enterprise, to further develop the community, via services such as the café, running its own projects, or providing small grants to projects run by members of the community.

“I want to see the good ideas of people in the community and ideas for the community being realised.

“Encourage people not so involved in decision making, using resources in the town a lot more and where it is helpful, better connections across the community.

“I want to help where I can with the development of links across the community – between people, projects, groups and organisations.

The cafe offers homemade cakes, a meeting space for groups, activities, a bring and take a book scheme as well as supplying tickets for local events.

It will welcome walking and cycling groups, is dog friendly and will also display art from local artists with profits going to nominated local charities.

It will be open six days a week, from 9am-4pm.

Although new to this role, Rob has held community based roles across the country, such as Cirencester, Yate and London.

He is urging people to contact him whether it is about helping with the café, getting involved in the enterprise, or with ideas for community projects and improvements.

Call him on 0754 656 5902 or email: blackcatcommunityworker@gmail.com

To contact the café call 01451 861 101

Find out more by visiting blackcatcafe.org.uk