A visit from the Archbishop of Canterbury
On the 24th May 2024the shop and cafe welcomed Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop Rachel. They visited to see how an active church accommodates a shop and café and the Archbishop tried his hand making a latte with freshly ground coffee.
Archbishop Justin addressed the volunteers and congregation, saying, “Churches were not built to be used for two hours a week but to be at the centre of the community like here. This one invites people into the space and has a lovely design and atmosphere. It is the most incredible achievement here. I regret that I wasn’t as imaginative as you have been here in Amberley.”
The Archbishop also officially named the gallery meeting space above the shop in memory of the Reverend John Spiers who played such a pivotal role in making the shop and cafe a reality, and it was so wonderful to see Johns lovely wife Doreen joining the Archbishop and Bishop Rachel.
Did you know that Amberley Shop and Café is a community benefit society? we will will mark our first year of trading on Saturday 29 June with an afternoon of celebrations from 12 – 4pm, including a BBQ, cream teas, supplier tastings, plant sale, a quiz, a raffle for Stroud Women’s Refuge, bar, and children’s activities.
During its first year, the shop and café have served 26,000 customers, both locals, visitors and a surprising number of tourists from as far as New Zealand, Canada and the USA. The café team has served 12,000 coffees and 7,000 cakes.
The shop is run by a team of nearly 90 volunteers alongside a paid manager. If you would like to join the team for as little as 2 hours a week you can sign up here.
The café recently launched its delicious new summer menu, with sandwiches, quiches, sausage rolls freshly baked by Henry’s of Minchinhampton. It also sells cakes from local suppliers including Lavender Bakehouse, Hobbs House Bakery and Baked by Beth.
In case you didnt know, the cafe hosts free community pop-up events including technology advice, police drop-ins, holiday story time for youngsters, and a Scrabble club, you can always check what’s on on here . Being part of the community is hugely important and the shop and café provides work experience for local teenagers and for students with learning and physical disabilities from the National Star College in Cheltenham. It also offers community service for Duke of Edinburgh Award students and has regular student take-overs from Amberley Primary School.