The Food Place - a summary of 10 Feb workshop

The cafe can be a catalyst for social cohesion - it's what a community centre is all about. The space has got to be flexible enough to do several things, to work for all members of the community and to sustain itself beyond the life of a funded project.

We liked welcoming entrances and open, visible space: we asked 'How can we make our space both welcoming and secure?' We thought about whether people relaxing in the area would be affected by others using it as an entrance to the centre, people propping their bikes outside etc, kids rampaging and so on. We could make it visible but perhaps not directly accessible from the road and have passive security in the form of barriers such as a living fence or the placement of furniture. Alternatively we could have two entrances.

We agreed to keep the momentum up by communicating via email, blog, website and meetings. The Local Food, Communitybuilders and Community Voices applications will hopefully keep us together and focused, plus the 'virtual cafe' Mayor's Fund events between now and November. Ruth, Loscinia and Jane are going on the Buildings by Design course on 24 & 25 February at Hackney City Farm. We could make a physical model of the centre for local people to look at - the displays have generated quite a bit of interest, alternatively we could make a virtual model to put on the website, using Sketch Up.

We need to maintain a broader perspective - what else do we want to do with the building and how can we make it more navigable and welcoming as a whole? We can carry on looking for sources of funding that broadly fit in with what we've decided to do, but be opportunistic too - a Place for the 21st Century.

We agreed to meet on 3 March at 4pm, to feedback on the design course and progress on the applications and business plan. More information about the brief, finding an architect, planning regs and costings to follow...

Our Vision

Our vision - we envisage a future at The Food Place where:

• the community visits on a daily basis
• every member of the community feels welcome and at home
• it's seen as an integral part of the centre
• a range of agencies operate local services
• the space is well designed, practical and attractive
• people stop and enjoy refreshments
• local business people choose to meet
• people choose to hold private functions
• the community is proud of their space

Design and development ideas, some a bit wacky but why not dream or be inspired?

A neat and modern kitchenette

Some jolly tables all different shapes and colours

An extraordinary kitchenette from Italy

All sorts of furniture including stacking chairs and tables

10 things I like and 10 things I dislike

I like regulars and specials and stuff that everyone likes and veggies can eat eg pasta or soup, even quiche... I dislike too much choice and I won't believe you've got it
I like interesting things on the walls: art, photos, poems, tin signs, history... I dislike the sort of posters you can buy in Smiths or anything stuck up with blu tack, or out of date noticeboards (take note Goldsmiths)
I like different types of seats; stools, chairs, some with arms... I dislike hard plastic stackable chairs, particularly orange ones
I like tables that you can make different shapes (square or rectangular) with and dislike round tables, even outside
I like today's newspapers or failing that a few books, but not magazines of any description as they remind me of the dentist, GP or hairdresser
I like music or the radio playing in the background, especially if it's otherwise quiet, but I dislike any sort of compilation tape or jukebox apart from a Bal Ami or Rock Ola
I like a good cup of coffee and anywhere that has a proper coffee machine... I dislike any of the 'real coffee' chains that infest our cities
I like unhurried service that you know is efficient... and really dislike staff who get in a flap or are rude
That's not 10 I know but it will do to be going on with