A Warm Welcome

From this week onwards we will be opening every weekday morning betwen 10:30 and 12 as a Community Cafe. The weather is getting colder and we all know that the cost of living is still rising. Fuel prices haven't gone down since last winter and once again too many people are having to choose between heating and eating. Reduced spending money also means that people are going out less as they can't afford to, and that leads to an increase in loneliness and isolation, particularly for people that live on their own. 

 

As you know, community is very important to all of us at the Bell and we're always looking for ways to use this lovely space to the benefit of everyone. The heating is on from the moment we come in at 9 am so we're already paying for it, so we thought why not share it with everyone else? We are in the process of registering as a Warm Space with Tewkesbury Borough Council, and with an organisation called Warm Welcome to make sure we've thought of everything and are offering the right services with our Community Cafe. 

 

 

If you want to come in and read the paper or your book in peace, you're more than welcome. If you fancy a chat, our staff are always happy to join in or to intrioduce you to other visitors. We have a range of books, board games and crafting supplies that are free for you to enjoy - so far we've got paints, knitting supplies and sewing kits and we will keep adding to our stock. If you fancy a hot drink and a snack we have tea, coffee and hot chocolate available and we'll also be offering low cost things like toast, crumpets and Danish pastries of you want a treat. We have free wifi so you can come and work from home here if that suits you - we have a special offer for those wishing to work from the pub, please ask us when you come in. If there's anything you would like us to add please talk to one of the team or comment on the blog and we'll see what we can do. 

 

Everyone is very welcome to join us - we have plenty of space for pushchairs and buggies, and there's a changing table with nappy-changing supplies always available for free in the Ladies toilets, along with free period products. There's good wheelchair access as well, although unfortunately, because the pub is so old, the Gents toilet is down a set of steps that are difficult to fit a ramp to, but we're trying to figure out how to get round that. 

 

We know it can be daunting for some people to come into a pub on their own but we want to reassure you that there will always be a warm welcome, and we will do everything we can to make sure you feel at home here. So please do come along, stay warm and banish the winter blues at The Bell Community Cafe.