A café that brings a focus to the community
The Open Door Centre is an initiative by the John Trotter Trust that involved restoring a building sited next to Christ Church, thereby increasing and extending the facilities for all members of the church and the wider community in a welcoming and secure environment. The necessary money was raised primarily via many activities ranging from cake sales to climbing mountains, from ceilidhs to quiz nights and, latterly, from local and national grant-making trusts.
One of the items on the restoration agenda was a properly specified commercial kitchen which would form an important role within the new configuration as the café area is, undoubtedly, the centrepiece. Nelson’s considerable experience in this sector made us the perfect partner and we were commissioned to provide this.
Open Door’s cooking requirements were modest so we suggested equipment and a layout that would enable the facility to grow over time without requiring any more changes.
View GalleryCooking equipment is simply a 6 burner oven range and a convection oven. Safe food storage was important too and we specified an upright fridge and freezer with a second undercounter fridge.
A further consideration was the dishwashing system and here we installed a Nelson Advantage undercounter commercial dishwasher, a double sink with a re-rinse spray and plenty of racking to process clean kitchenware.
A generous amount of storage and shelving has been installed throughout the kitchen which helps keep it organised.To address a preparation area within the limited space, we specified a mobile bench which only needs to be utilised at busy times when extra people are working.
On completion of the work, a new plaque was erected outside the building bearing the message ‘This building was restored to transform lives, build community and shape society’ Proverbs 3: 5 & 6. An ambition that is now being realised.
Related casestudies
All Saints Church (COE CHURCH)
Emmanuel Evangelical Church
Aylesbury Methodist Church
South of Reading Christian Fellowship
It starts with a conversation
Whether you’re in the earliest stages of planning or you have a site that’s ready to go, it’s never too early to involve us. We can advise and assist you at every stage so let’s start the conversation today.
