The Long Table, the social enterprise formed in Brimscombe Port in 2018, has given Stroud Times a behind-the-scenes tour of their new premises.
The Long Table CIC (Community Interest Company) was established six years ago by Tom Herbert, well known for his TV appearances on three seasons of The Fabulous Baker Brothers.
Tom explained: “In a society beset by poor nutrition and social isolation, The Long Table has become a beacon of hope and togetherness since we started in 2018. We’re not just a restaurant, we are a movement. A gathering place where every meal is an opportunity for meaningful connection, to be the change, building community. Come take your seat at the table and have a taste of a hopeful future.”
Whilst the Long Table at Brimscombe Mill is still going strong, the organisation is expanding into the former House of Fraser department store in the centre of Cirencester, which closed in January 2019, and there are plans to open at the start of November.
“The reason this is taking so long is we’re trying to renovate a really, really old department store – this has been a department store in the centre of Cirencester for the best part of 100 years, in various guises,” explained Will North, Director and General Manager of The Long Table.
“It’s a wonderful old building and it’s listed – which is terrifying, but it’s great.”
The building will initially be home to The Long Table, Kids Stuff and The Bike Drop, with new workshop space managed by Jason Howarth. New kitchens have been built on the ground floor to serve visitors to the Long Tables. Other social enterprises will eventually be homed in the building.
“In Brimscombe this year we’ll be serving over 40,000 pay-as-you-can meals, and being in a slightly different community we really look forward to welcoming Cirencester to answer the question, ‘what if everyone in our community had access to great food? ‘but the only thing we do know is that great things happen when they eat together – and I can’t wait to eat with you soon,” added Will.
Pictures and video by Matt Bigwood
