Social enterprises come together to serve up coffee and craic

A cafe based in Glasgow’s west end is taking the city by storm with its emphasis on everything Gaelic.

Coffee and Craic opened earlier this month on Elderslie Street and will serve up a hefty portion of arts, crafts and music sessions all with a traditional Celtic flavour.

The cafe, which is run as a social enterprise, received funding and support from social enterprise development agency Firstport’s Ditto programme and has had its interior kitted out by two other local social enterprises Treemendus and Junkitecture.

Sarah Bolland, owner of Coffee and Craic, said: "Since being accepted onto Firstport’s Ditto programme, the last three months have been an absolute whirlwind and I have been so incredibly lucky to see my plans become a reality.

“Having Treemendus and Junkitecture on board meant that we managed to create the vision I had for Coffee and Craic in a very economical and thrifty way.

“Everything in the cafe is recycled or upcycled, from the wood on the tables, to our old leather sofa. I am so grateful to Firstport for allowing me and the Gaelic community to make this happen."

Karen McGregor, chief executive of Firstport, added: “Coffee and Craic is a fantastic addition to Glasgow’s cafe scene. But with language classes, workshops and music sessions on the menu as well as coffee and cake it’s more than just another cafe.

“We are especially delighted that Sarah was able to work with two other social enterprises supported by Firstport - Treemendus and Junkitecture.”