Local South East Asian community groups, Hackney Chinese Community Services (HCCS) and Bahay Kubo Housing Association (BKHA), announce their win of a £35000 pledge from Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, from his Crowdfund London project, to help create a new kitchen today.
The Old Bath Community House, situated in the heart of Hackney, has been a restaurant and centre for the Vietnamese community from the 1980's until its recent closure. Hackney Council has approved £400,000 to repair the structure of the building, to make it safe and habitable, and has offered it to the BKHA and HCCS for community use on completion at the end of 2019.
The Crowdfund London pledge will greatly help the regeneration of the building’s interior, which relies on the community groups’ own fundraising. The significant contribution will support the joint vision of Chinese, Filipino and Vietnamese migrant/refugee communities.
Jabez Lam from HCCS said “This is a fantastic opportunity. Our new community centre aims to have a community kitchen at the centre of its services, and this grant pledge will help realise our dreams. We will now be able to support our communities through elderly luncheon clubs, training locals in East Asian cuisine, or hiring out our new dining and kitchen area.”
Deputy Major Jules Pipe said, “We're proud to support this innovate project and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the local community.”
Susan Cueva from BKHA added, “This provides us with a wonderful opportunity to support East Asian women in catering business, and to encourage innovation though pop up restaurants. We believe social enterprise will create opportunities for local regeneration, facilitate joint working, community initiatives and greater cohesion. We look forward to building bridges throughout London”
Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, Jules Pipe, said: “Each year Crowdfund London goes from strength to strength. We’re proud to support this innovative project and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the local community.”
Part of a greater plan, the new centre aims to promote East Asian arts and cultural activities, festivals, employment training, advice and support.
Despite the generous pledge of the Mayor and the public, the organisations still need to raise another £10,000 to get the final go ahead. The Crowdfund campaign will end on 12 August 2019.
If you would like to pledge, please visit https://www.spacehive.com/the-old-bath-community-house