Congresbury Community café Ltd is a charitable community benefit society which runs Congresbury Community café. The café has been open for two-and-a-half years and operates in rooms and a courtyard which are kindly donated free of charge by Debbie Fortune estate agents’ Congresbury office.

Run entirely by volunteers it was initially set up to raise funds for a new village hall. When that project closed down, the project team in liaison with Debbie Fortune Estate Agents agreed to retain the popular café. The surplus profits are now used to support the community, by helping fund village organisations and activities. Details are available on the café website www.congresburycoffee.org .

The café will also run sessions to support organisations such as Macmillan Cancer support, The Air Ambulance and local hospices. The café is open on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9 till 1pm and alternate Saturdays from 10 till 3pm (next opening Saturday 11^th). It also runs a Glut Market where donated surplus vegetables and plants are available for a donation to the café.

The St Andrew’s school PTA are the first group to receive funding from café sessions. Deputy Headteacher, Mrs Zoe Gartland, on behalf of the school and PTA said: “Thank you so much to Congresbury community café who have kindly donated £423 towards our new playground equipment.

“During lockdown, the children of St Andrew’s were tasked with a challenge to design a new Key Stage Two play area. The school council worked closely with Pentagon Play to ensure the children’s ideas were incorporated into the final build. In the last weeks of term, the children were able to see their designs become reality with our wonderful new equipment. 

“The school were able to fund the vast majority of the scheme but needed to raise a final £1500. With the PTA’s help and generous donations from local businesses, we are almost there.”

Ian Sheppard for the café said: “It was disappointing when the village hall project closed down in October last year but the café allows us to fulfil our vision of putting money back into the community. But it is not all about the money, the café is a community facility where people can meet up in a safe environment as well as enjoying freshly brewed hot drinks and delicious homemade cakes.

“We would not able to do this without the generosity and continued support of Debbie Fortune Estate Agents in allowing us use of the rooms and courtyard. “

Situated at the rear of Debbie Fortune estate agent in Bridge House, Broad Street, and generously donated by Debbie, the cafe is attractively furnished and is totally manned by volunteers. Offering a variety of speciality teas, coffees, and other drinks, together with a choice of delicious homemade cakes, baked by villagers.

The cafe is now open on Wednesdays and Fridays 9 – 1pm and alternate Saturdays 9.30-1pm. Approached through the high double wooden gates on Broad Street, there is a charming enclosed courtyard, with 4 tables in the gazebo and 4 not under cover.  Dogs are not allowed in the café but may be left in the courtyard where water and tying up facilities are available.

Saturday dates are – 31st October, 14th November, 28th November, 12th December, 9th January 2021, 23rd January, 6th February, 20th February.

Our local pubs are now helping our community by offering a home delivery service of food selected from their menu. Click on our Noticeboard for details.