Restaurants which make a difference

Tuesday 07 June 2022
Peter Pan Afternoon Tea at Aqua Shard developed in partnership with Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital

The focus on supporting local businesses has evolved over the past two years. There are many ways to support the local community when travelling around the United Kingdom, one of them is visiting restaurants which give back to the community in various ways. Whether it is by training local young talent, making contributions to charities or supporting regional producers, there are no boundaries.

 

Restaurants which upskill or give people a second chance

 

The Hive, Birmingham

The Hive is a community hub in the heart of the city. Visitors can eat at an award-winning organic and vegetarian café, take part in craft workshops as well as enjoy exhibitions and events. Supporting the local community is one of the hub’s top priorities. They offer work experience and training opportunities to young people with learning difficulties and complex needs at their in-house college.

 

The Clink, Cardiff

The stylish fine-dining restaurant is set within a working prison and run by inmates who serve dishes made out of organic Welsh produce. By changing attitudes, transforming lives and creating second chances ‘The Clink’ showcases what can be achieved when society collectively engages to help those who want and deserve a second chance.

 

The Pump Room, Bath

The picturesque Georgian restaurant attached to the Roman Baths, is the ultimate Afternoon Tea in the city. ‘The Pump Room’ is part of ‘Searcys’ which partners with ‘London Charity Hotel School’, created to teach hospitality skills to homeless and vulnerable people and ‘Beyond Food’ which is a social enterprise helping those who are most at risk of homelessness to gain employment in hospitality.

 

Brigade Bar + Kitchen, London

The Brigade restaurant and bar is known for live-fire cooking using modern techniques and recipes with ingredients supplied by some of the best local producers. The restaurant is run with a social purpose in mind. Training opportunities to vulnerable people or those who have fallen on hard times are offered.

 

Restaurants which support local charities

 

Hall & Woodhouse, Bath

Originally an auction house built in the 1960’s, ‘Hall & Woodhouse’ is a stunning bar and restaurant in the heart of the city. The gorgeous and green roof terrace with views over the city’s historic streets is only one of the reasons to visit. The restaurant supports local charities and organises an annual litter pick in which the whole team participates.

 

Peter Pan Afternoon Tea at the Aqua Shard, London

Situated on the 31st floor of Europe’s tallest building, the restaurant Aqua Shard is known for its exquisite British Afternoon Tea. Their Peter Pan themed afternoon brings the magic of the classic children’s fairy tale to life. A donation to the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity is made for every afternoon tea consumed to help seriously ill children in the UK.

 

The Ethicurean, Bristol

Located in a stunning Victorian Walled Garden, ‘The Ethicurean’ takes guests on a culinary journey, celebrating the finest ingredients from their garden and beyond. It is their staff who make the experience and therefore they pay above living wages. All tips received by the team are donated each quarter to food charities which support the vulnerable.

 

Donatello, Brighton

Situated in the heart of Brighton’s famous lanes, Donatello is a family run Italian restaurant. Donatello believes strongly in giving back and making a positive impact on the Brighton community. They are actively involved and supportive of many local charities and organisations in the city.

 

Open Kitchen, Manchester

The restaurant puts the community and the environment at their heart. Located in Manchester’s ‘People’s History Museum’ they fight food waste and food insecurity through supporting ethical businesses and boasting a sustainable food chain. ‘Open Kitchen’ is a not-for-profit social enterprise and all income subsidises their work supporting local communities struggling with food insecurity by delivering food and supplies to food banks, temporary accommodation, and food pantry projects.

 

Restaurants which cut food miles and support local businesses

 

The Vibe Café, Liverpool

The family run coffee shop’s mission is to create an experience for their customer’s mind, body and soul. Their drinks and food offers are 100% plant based and made out of locally sourced produce. Their coffee is fair-trade certified and comes from a women’s cooperative in Honduras.

 

Partisan, York

The vibrant, independent coffee shop and arts space ‘Partisan’ serves delicious dishes made out of seasonal and local produce. A lot of their herbs and vegetables are grown at their farm on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds. All paintings and much of the antique furniture is available to buy from the venue and exhibitions of local and national artists are regularly hosted at the venue.

 

The Finnieston, Glasgow

The Finnieston Bar & Restaurant serves up the very best of seasonal and ethically-sourced Scottish seafood, complimented by local Scottish produce from the region. The highlight of their drink menu is the zero-waste cocktail made entirely from previously discarded produce.

 

20 stories, Manchester

The highlight of the restaurant 20 stories is their roof terrace with a 360-degree view over Manchester situated high up on the 19th floor. The restaurants menus were designed to show the best food of the Northwest and they are committed to sourcing local produce and support British suppliers.

 

The Kitchin, Edinburgh

The Michelin-starred, contemporary Scottish restaurant ‘The Kitchin’ presents modern British cuisine which is influenced by French cooking techniques. The ingredients used in the kitchen arrive fresh daily due to the proximity of selected suppliers which provide the very best seasonal Scottish produce.

For more information contact:

VisitBritain Media Team

pressandpr@visitbritain.org

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