The Croft Community Enterprise has reached a 5 year milestone and, to be sustainable we need to grow & expand the business to offer more services, training & events to a wider customer base, inc. local Social Housing residents. In order to do this, we need to move to larger premises in a more prominent location. Suitable premises have been identified in a High Street that lacks a business comparable with ours.

This would give us better footfall and more space for tables & events, shop space for local produce, kitchen & storage capacity to deliver more outside catering events for local churches & other non-profit organisations. We want to create more jobs & volunteering opportunities for local people and take on another young Apprentice.

Although we have already secured some funding from local benefactors, we are seeking additional funding to enable us to undertake this move, complete the renovations and help us through the transition period of closing one shop and opening the other.

What we'll deliver:

• Deliver a 1 week Training programme for all Staff & Volunteers
• PR plan to inc. meetings with community groups, churches, schools, libraries & neighbouring shops & businesses
• Renovate the shop premises and kitchen
• Secure new High Street premises
• Add a ramp to enable better access
• Close existing shop and hold opening launch in new premises
• Develop a Marketing plan to inc. an upgrade of the web site, social media, re-printing of leaflets etc
• Ensure compliance, systems, quality standards and procedures are written and in place
• Increase shop area, the amount & variety of local produce inc. new Artisan Bread service & links with Farmers Market
• Recruit additional Staff, Volunteers, Trustees and an additional Apprentice

Why it's a great idea:

Moving to larger premises with excellent parking facilities will give us greater foot fall, enable us to thrive and reach a much wider customer base whilst retaining a unique & independent shop in a busy urban London High Street.

We could increase events for older customers inc. residents from Affinity Sutton Housing estates nearby and to the Age UK centre visitors opposite.

Our existing premises are too small, we have to restrict numbers attending our events, turning down potential bookings & hires due to lack of seating space. We currently have no parking which is a deterrent and we have minimal pavement space to promote local produce (eg: vegetables) or provide visible seating. We have no other shops or businesses around us, so lack of footfall and awareness has been a constant problem.

This move would enable us to grow, increase our valuable services to a wider customer base and ensure the long term sustainability of our unique and special community business

Steps to get it done:

• Gain commitment from staff, volunteers, customers, key resident and community groups
• Gain financial support from sponsors and grants to meet the costs of the move and transition period
• Gain publicity to market our unique business and the benefits we offer the community we serve
• Gain support from grant bodies in designing and setting up the local produce shop
• Gain support from Trustees in planning the move, renovations, staffing, training and marketing
• Launch and grow!
• We already have a number of personal benefactors prepared to give this move their financial backing

The Croft is an award-winning Community Catering Enterprise. Key activities include a Tearoom, Local Produce Shop, Outside Catering Service & Events Venue.

Our objective is to be successful & sustainable by: 1) Supporting local people, older residents & community organisations with a range of services & events 2) Giving excellent customer care with knowledgeable, well trained Staff & Volunteers 3) Serving delicious food (locally sourced & seasonal) & selling genuinely local produce

We support 15 volunteers, create jobs & training for staff & volunteers inc. an Apprentice each year. We promote regeneration in our High Street, engage residents & schools in our Activities & Events and provide a unique & special place where people can meet and feel valued.

We use over 20 small, local food producers, farmers & businesses including local arts & crafts. We care for our environment by minimising food miles, recycling and composting our waste. Over 5000 customers a year use our premises.