A social enterprise coffee shop is the latest addition to the village of Moneyreagh. Host Café is located in the grounds of the local community centre.
The new business was supported by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s (LCCC) COVID-19 Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme, which is funded through the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), the Department for Communities (DfC) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
Councillor John Laverty BEM, Chair of LCCC’s Regeneration and Growth Committee, said: “Social enterprise initiatives play a pivotal role in enhancing the wellbeing of our communities and I am delighted to see this one come to fruition. I have no doubt that Host Café will quickly become a popular addition to Moneyreagh, injecting a sense of vitality by creating jobs, attracting visitors, benefitting nearby businesses and stimulating the local economy.”
Councillor Thomas Beckett, Chair of LCCC’s Communities and Wellbeing Committee, added: “This new café will expand on and complement the services already offered by the community centre.
“Its prime location in front of the community garden will create a space for relaxation and improved wellbeing, while also providing opportunities for people to connect and foster a sense of community cohesion and inclusivity.”
Supported by DAERA, DfC and DfI, a spokesperson for the three departments said: “The Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme is a Programme that has provided councils with over £26m to reinvigorate the post-pandemic economy of our smaller towns and villages. The programme has allowed us to invest in social enterprises such as the new Host Café in Moneyreagh, which helps bring positive change to our local communities. This investment will create jobs, offer skill-building opportunities and reinvest profits locally, enriching the lives of residents and visitors alike.”
Host Café is adjacent to Moneyreagh Community Centre, 36a Church Road, Moneyreagh and is open Tuesdays to Fridays 8.30am to 3.30pm and Saturdays 9am to 12.00pm