Factory Café based in Wasps Studios, Glasgow, has been awarded a place on funding and support programme

Arts group Wasps Studios is cutting the celebration cake again after a café based in its Glasgow studios had its plans to become a community hub boosted.

Factory Café, based in Wasps Studios in Dennistoun, has won a place on social enterprise development agency Firstport’s Ditto programme – giving it access to a programme of tailored business support and funding.

The café hopes to become a vibrant place for over 70 artists within the studios, which was recently named social enterprise of the year by Social Enterprise Scotland, as well as the local community to relax and socialise.

Gillian Orr of the Factory Cafe said: “Getting onto Firstport’s Ditto programme is an important step for us as we take the business to the next level. It will make a huge difference in how we market our services to the public and to the artists working within Wasps.

“The cafe had been empty for almost two years before I took it on and it has been hard work getting it off the ground. We’re currently developing our craft sessions and making plans to ensure the open plan exhibition space is used to its full potential by the local community and the artists.”

The Ditto programme will offer budding entrepreneur Gillian, the opportunity to develop valuable relationships within the cafe sector. She will also have access to a tried and tested business model provided by Ditto.

Karen McGregor, chief executive of Firstport, said: “We are delighted that the Factory Cafe has the support it needs to become a sustainable social enterprise.

“The idea behind Ditto, which is funded by Resilient Scotland, is to increase the social and economic impact of social enterprises in Scotland by promoting a low-risk route to starting a business.”