A new community café in Northstowe is bringing people together, thanks to £100,000 of rural funding. Located within Northstowe Secondary College, the cafe will form a key part of the community facilities shared with Northstowe Secondary College, which have been planned to support the growing local population.
Other facilities at the school include a community gym, indoor sports hall, sports pitches, including a 3G pitch, as well as dance studios and main hall / theatre space.
While a specialist operator will be working with the school to manage these facilities from the Autumn term, the café is already in use and is the second of its kind in the town made possible by dedicated volunteers from the Northstowe Hub charity.
The cafes are designed to be inclusive social spaces that help build connections, confidence, and community.
The new café at the Stirling Road college has been made possible thanks to £100,000 of grant funding from the Rural England Prosperity Fund which supports projects that boost rural areas across the UK. It has funded new equipment such as the chiller displays, oven, dishwasher, undercounter chillers and freezers, coffee machine, microwave, and panini grill.
Hektor Marden, Chair of Northstowe Hub charity which oversees both cafes, said: “These cafés are designed as a community focal point for people of all ages. Whether it’s someone looking to rebuild confidence by volunteering with us, a sixth former gaining work experience, a parent waiting while their child is at an activity club, or somebody who simply wishes to drop in for a drink and something to eat, the café is a welcoming space for all. It’s important to have community focal points where people can interact and feel connected. We’re proud to offer spaces that add real social value.”
The latest café launched at the end of the summer term and reopens at Northstowe Learning Community in the September term on Tuesdays (4 - 6.30pm) and is hoped to expand to Thursdays (4 - 6.30pm).
The first café, which has been running for two years in The Hub portable building in Pathfinder Way, opens every Wednesday from 9am -12.30pm and 3.30 - 5pm. It also opens on Sunday from 10am–12pm.
Run entirely by volunteers, both cafés offer affordable refreshments in a relaxed setting and are a focal point as somewhere to meet friends, take a break, or simply feel connected.
Cllr Henry Batchelor, Lead Cabinet Member for Communities for South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “The Northstowe Hub Community Cafés are a shining example of how rural funding can spark grassroots change - one cup of tea at a time. It’s testament to the power of grant funding in igniting grassroots transformation. These cafés are brewing more than beverages, they’re cultivating connection, resilience, and a sense of belonging. It’s community-building at its finest.”
The Northstowe Hub, established as a charity in 2023, not only runs the cafes but also plays a crucial role in supporting smaller local groups. For those who aren’t official organisations but want to run community activities, the Hub can hold funds on their behalf, making it easier to access grants and get projects off the ground.
Cllr Natalie Warren Green, a local district councillor for the town, said: “Northstowe residents will be delighted to see the café open. It’s in a prime position for the many people who visit the Secondary College often for activities themselves, as well as parents dropping, waiting for, or collecting children to clubs and societies at the School. The fact that it’s open to everyone is a real bonus, as it will also be welcomed by those taking walks around the nearby Northstowe Lakes, and residents moving into this area of Northstowe where more and more new houses are being occupied. I’m looking forward to visiting myself when I’m working with residents and community groups located in this area of Northstowe too.”
Cllr Tom Bygott, a local district councillor for Northstowe, said: "Community spaces like the Northstowe Hub Community Cafés are the beating heart of our area. These are places where people meet, connect and support one another over a hot drink or a bite to eat. I'm delighted to see rural funding fuelling the fabric of Northstowe's community and look forward to the positive impact it will have in years to come."
Looking to the future, the school plans to work with commercial partners to develop its offering of the cafe facilities.
Background on the Rural England Prosperity Fund
The Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) is designed to support local businesses for capital projects that diversify or help create jobs, plus a range of community initiatives like rural travel, volunteering opportunities, digital projects or schemes that create a sense of local pride. The government funding is administered by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA), while the District Council is responsible for grant scheme delivery and allocation.
Find out more about Rural England Prosperity Funding by visiting the webpage.
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