New Leamington Café Aimed At People Living With Dementia And Disabilities To Be Launched

A new café aimed at people Living with Dementia and disabilities is to be launched in Leamington this summer after receiving a Covid-19 recovery loan from Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust (CWRT).

Fran Scott and Steve Cooper first came up with the idea for the Forget Me Not café four years ago and are now turning their dreams into reality having rented a property in Clarendon Avenue from Warwick District Council.

After contacting Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub for guidance on support, they were referred to the Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust (CWRT).

David Owen, Loans Officer from CWRT, visited the couple to discuss their plans and identified the Covid-19 Recovery Loan as their best source of financial assistance. CWRT has safeguarded 208 jobs and is forecasted to create 98 new job roles with Covid-19 Recovery Loans, for a total of 19 businesses.

The Recovery Loan Scheme is aimed at supporting businesses as well as accessing finance as they recover and grow from Covid-19. Businesses that have received funding from the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme or the Bounce Back Loan Scheme are able to access the support.

Fran Scott said this loan was a great help to Leamington Spa-based Forget Me Not café.

“Following the end of lockdown, we have- moved forward with our plans and after contacting CWLEP Growth Hub, we got in touch with CWRT and they have helped us with a Recovery Loan. Without their help, we would not be in the position we are now in.

“The loan has allowed us to move forward with our café plans that we have had in the works for four years – to create a dementia and disabled friendly café.’’

She has spoken to the Alzheimer’s Society and Age UK to receive advice on providing a home-from-home café for vulnerable members of the community.

Fran added: “We have taken their suggestions on how to develop the café with details such as not having black tiles on the floor since people with dementia can sometimes think there is a hole in the floor, and we’re going to have memory boxes with artifacts from the 1930s onwards because often people with dementia have short-term memory loss but can recall films or news events from their youth.

“We are now aiming to open in the next two months and as a charity, we are looking for volunteers from the community who are builders that could work at cost as well as volunteers to work in the café including those with learning disabilities.

“We are employing a fully-qualified chef to create all the items on the menu which we will be adapting for our customers, and we are also hoping to attract students and shoppers so that all members of the community can mingle with each other.”

Sheridan Sulskis, CEO at CWRT, said: “The Recovery Loan Scheme has been perfect for ventures such as the Forget Me Not café to receive access to finance to help with their recovery following the pandemic.

“Following the success of the Recovery Loan Scheme which comes to a close at the end of June, CWRT have several other funding options available to businesses that may be looking for financial support within Coventry and Warwickshire, and so I would urge any businesses who are in need of assistance to get in touch with us and see how we can help you.’’

Warwickshire County Council also committed significant funding to the Recovery Loan Scheme.

The council’s portfolio holder for economy, Cllr Martin Watson, also praised the plans for the café.

He said: “This is a wonderful example of how the loan can really benefit our communities and give them the power to tackle the issues that affect them locally.

“This loan is not only helping to safeguard a business. It is also helping that business to provide an absolutely essential service to improve the quality of life for some of our more vulnerable residents as well as employment opportunities for others. I’m delighted that the county council has lent its support.”

Martin Nwangwa, account manager at the CWLEP Growth Hub, added: “We made the initial approach to find out if there was an opportunity to provide assistance, and we initially referred the Forget Me Not café to Coventry & Warwickshire CDA for charity grants, and then CWRT.

“It is great to have played a part in helping the charity get up and running and underlines that the Growth Hub is here to help in all sectors to boost the economy.”

The Recovery Loan Scheme is managed by the British Business Bank on behalf of, and with the financial backing of, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. British Business Bank plc is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government. It is not authorised or regulated by the PRA or the FCA. Visit http://www.british-businessbank.co.uk/recovery-loan-scheme.

Further information about additional support from CWRT is available from www.cwrt.uk.com or by calling 02476 551777.

Made Smarter WM

Made Smarter is a national movement to drive growth amongst UK makers and advance the UK economy. Backed by world renowned businesses and the UK government, it will improve the development and adoption of emerging technologies. Making a real, everyday difference to people from the boardroom to the factory floor.

Find Out More

Looking for work, or have vacancies to fill?

CW Employment Solutions offers a service for job seekers and employers, recruiters and education leavers, to connect, find jobs, post vacancies and access the wealth of support measures that have been implemented across the region.

Click Here to Find out More

News

Make a Difference: New Campaign Launched to Attract People to Council Careers

Growth and employment plans for C&W SMEs hit by the Budget

Coventry & Warwickshire to be at heart of UK transition to clean energy, networking event hears

Warwickshire property agency secures sale of land for 78 new homes

CBS Arena to host event for hundreds of people who may be alone or isolated this Christmas

Client testimonials

Without the Growth Hubs help and assistance, we would never have been able to increase our sales & output and also grow our local business. With this help in purchasing new equipment we have expanded our operations and gained a new and increased customer base.

Nuneaton Roof Truss,

Over the past few years, Armstrongs has built up a fantastic relationship with Gary Thyeson from the Growth Hub. His advice on grants and funding has been really valuable to both Armstrongs and some of our clients. His knowledge of local business support has been helpful in signposting us to relevant support agencies as required. We look forward to working with Laura Delahunty moving forwards.

Armstrongs Accountancy LTD,

In the short time since first engaging with the Warwickshire Growth Hub we feel that Laura has understood our vision and has been so very supportive in linking us to the specialist teams who are now supporting us with training, finance and recruitment. A great service that every growing organisation should connect with

MES Systems Limited,

I have had an excellent experience working with Laura from the Growth Hub, from day one, she was taking detailed attention to my concerns and ideas. She was able to put me in contact with different organisations and people to find out answers to my questions and help me to solve some inquiries I was having. I feel this support definitely had a positive impact in my plans.

PALACIOS LTD,

It’s been a fantastic inaugural eight months for the TalentTech Recruitment team and, although the reality of setting up and running a company can be a somewhat daunting experience, we have been extremely grateful for the superb help, advice and guidance given to us along our journey by Gavin Barnett and the team at CW Growth Hub. Gavin’s introductions to both Warwick & Coventry Universities and his wider business network have been absolutely invaluable.

TalentTech Recruitment LTD,

For many individuals out there, it is very hard to figure out ways and know which direction to go when it comes to setting up a business. The challenges of taking your idea and bringing it to life and not knowing where to go and who to speak to for advice. it can get very frustrating..

King of Saffron LTD,

This grant [which we received with the help of the Growth Hub and Coventry City Council] will really help us get on track for business growth and succeed with our vision. Personally, I would also like to thank the team for supporting me through the grant application process. You have been very approachable and attentive throughout.

Exeter Analytical (UK) Limited,

Thank you for the comprehensive and professional guidance

Burbidge & Son Ltd,

Over the years since the Growth Hub was set up we have habitually gone to our Account Manager as a one-stop shop for all business-related information. It has been a really convenient way of finding suppliers, advisors and, on one occasion, we even asked for assistance with finding customers. We are invited to a wide range of business events including business development workshops, Brexit roundtable discussions, seminars on various topics and have also been asked to speak at some events. When we have needed additional information, for example, finding finance sources or help with selecti

Marchantcain Design Limited,

Thanks to CW Growth hub getting us access to grant funding we have been able to invest in the latest computer monitoring system, which will enable us to compete with the national companies within our industry.

Comrie Leisure Limited,