We are proud to support the launch of The Catering Cup Café, a new community café run by Riverside College Foundation Studies students at Ditton Community Centre. 

Officially opened earlier this week by the Worshipful the Mayor of Halton, Councillor Pamela Wallace, the café is the result of a year of partnership, planning and community effort. 

It now provides a welcoming and inclusive space where students can gain real-life work experience, build confidence and develop essential skills for the future.

As part of our Destination Kingsway and Stewards programme, we contributed £570 towards essential equipment needed to get the café up and running, including kitchen utensils, cookware, appliances and serving items. This support played an important role in ensuring everything was in place for the café to open its doors and begin serving the community. 

Georgina Crank, Social Impact and Engagement Officer, who attended the official opening, said: “It was fantastic to see the café officially open and to witness the pride and confidence of the students involved. This project perfectly reflects what partnership working can achieve — creating real opportunities for people to gain skills, build confidence and feel part of their community. We’re incredibly proud to support an initiative that will have such a positive and lasting impact locally.” 

The students themselves have been at the heart of the project. From naming The Catering Cup Café and designing its logo, to completing their food hygiene qualifications and preparing the space, they have helped shape every aspect of the café. Their involvement means it is not just somewhere to enjoy refreshments, but a hands-on learning environment where they can develop independence, teamwork and customer service skills. 

Based at Ditton Community Centre, the café has been created with the community in mind. It will reopen fully in September and operate during term time on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10.00am to 11.30am, offering visitors a warm welcome while supporting students as they gain valuable experience in catering and hospitality. 

In addition to its regular service, the café will host seasonal lunches for local parishioners, creating a welcoming space for people to come together, particularly during the colder months. 

This project has been made possible thanks to the support of a wide range of organisations and individuals, including Ditton Community Centre, Halton Family Hubs, Public Health, The Wonky Garden, Widnes in the Community (Tesco), Asda, TLW Contractors, GJ Flooring, Howdens, Halton Library and generous local residents. 

Supporting initiatives like this helps deliver our commitment to building thriving communities as part of Our Future Focus 2025–28, creating places that are safer, greener and more welcoming for everyone.

We would like to wish the students every success with their new café and look forward to seeing it flourish as a valued part of the local community in the months ahead.