INDEPENDENT Scottish hospitality group Manorview have this week launched their first community venue – offering the people of Coatbridge a safe place to stay warm, get some food and relax.
The Hub, based on main street in Coatbridge, opens this week – and starts with a holiday club for local children to come to during the October break. Providing a warm and safe space for locals – it will offer them books, games, hot drinks, and a bite to eat – giving access to some life essentials that many people struggle to afford during these challenging times. It signifies a huge milestone for Manorview’s registered charity, Manorview Foundation, and is an important part of their organisation’s mission to make life better through hospitality.
Founder of Manorview Steve Graham said: “Though this is the very beginning of the work we want to deliver for communities, we’re delighted to have The Hub open. It was previously a function and private events space that we operated, and after months of trying to get access to other public properties, we decided just to transform a space we already owned. It was vital to us that it felt warm and welcoming, and we hope it brings great comfort to the people of Coatbridge.”
The Hub has various zones in it to create a space that works for all people of all ages. A cosy lounge area has books and a TV, there’s an iPad station for getting online and playing games, an entertainment centre with tvs, Xbox and PlayStation, café-like area for having hot drinks and light meals, and a comfortable seating area to relax with a magazine and cuppa.
Manorview have covered the cost of creating The Hub so that the charity, Manorview Foundation, can use all funds raised to deliver vital community services. Some of Manorview’s partners also generously donated their time and expertise, including Everything Media, Sketch & Design, L11, Finishing Touches, Go Secure, and JC Upholstery – which the team at Manorview are extremely thankful for.
The charity’s activities are being led by Robert McHarg, who has vast experience within the third sector, having previously run children’s charity Achieve More Scotland.
Robert said: “We know times are tough. The cost of living is on the rise, and we know that there will be people choosing between heating and eating. We want The Hub to be there for the people of Coatbridge. We’ve got cosy areas, tvs, games for the kids, books, and iPads. We’ll be serving hot drinks, snacks, and soup while we’re open. And we just really hope to be able to help.”
Though The Hub is the Foundation’s first dedicated property, additional activities to support local communities in other areas are planned. In December, kids Christmas parties with a meal, visit from Santa and gift are planned at 8 other Manorview venues. This is something Manorview have previously delivered alongside kids charity Achieve More Scotland – but is now being delivered on a larger scale.
Initially, The Hub is running a holiday club for local kids and is open for 3 full days this week. From Monday October 23rd, The Hub will be open every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12pm-4pm. Anyone in need of a warm place to relax and feel safe, a cuppa or a bite to eat is very welcome – no booking or payment is needed. The team at The Hub are hoping to increase these opening hours soon, once awareness builds up and there are more people to run it.
Councillor Geraldine Woods from North Lanarkshire Council is the convener of the Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty committee, she visited The Hub to see the space in action, she said: “I was absolutely delighted to attend the Manorview foundation Hub and see first-hand their fantastic programme to come together with the local community and provide a safe and welcoming environment for all residents and children. We all know the difficult situation residents find themselves in during this cost-of-living crisis and families trying to survive on a daily basis. I firmly believe that initiatives like this being provided by the Manorview foundation can go a long way to help the wellbeing and mental health of our community and should be welcomed with open arms and I encourage all organisations and local community groups to take advantage of this fantastic facility. I would also like to thank the Manorview Foundation for providing a local Coatbridge charity group Cool School Uniforms with accommodation within their premises, which allows them to continue their amazing work.”
Mr Graham commented that The Hub is intrinsically linked to Manorview’s aspirations to use hospitality to make a meaningful impact on peoples’ lives. “Our mission is to make life better through hospitality – having The Hub means we can bring the comfort and joy of hospitality to people who can’t afford to go to their local café or relax in a nearby restaurant. We still have so much to achieve, but we feel fortunate that we can use our business experience, knowledge and resources to make a positive difference.”
