Grab a coffee... and some culture

VISITORS to Oldham’s gallery and library can enjoy a good read with a cup of tea and a slice of cake.

Cafe Culture, which opened last month, has provided visitors with the perfect place to take the weight off their feet after browsing exhibitions or choosing books.

The cafe is managed by the council’s Community Vocational Service, which aims to help people with disabilities find employment.

The team working at the cafe is given the opportunity to strengthen their work experience and develop skills and confidence.

Some are working towards nationally recognised qualifications awarded from the charity ASDAN.

One of the Community Vocational Service’s most successful programmes is the community allotment project using previously derelict land in Failsworth.

The allotments have been developed to grow local organic food — bees are also kept to make honey — and when the seasons allow the produce, as well as fruit produced from orchards in Fitton Hill, is incorporated into the bite-size menu.

Councillor John McCann, Cabinet member for community services and housing, said: “Not only is Cafe Culture proving to be popular with visitors to the gallery, but it is also becoming a destination in its own right for people coming into the town centre.

“The newly-refurbished café is a welcome addition to the gallery building and I’m sure it will encourage more people to visit.

“The workers are extremely professional and serve up some great food and because some of it is locally grown by users of the Community Vocational Service it tastes even better.”

Cafe Culture is open Monday to Friday from 10am-4pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10am-3.30pm.