A cafe run and built by former prisoners is set to open on Bristol’s Gloucester Road in the coming months – and staff there will even be producing their own jam. The Key Cafe is being established by The Restore Trust, an organisation whose mission is to reduce reoffending rates by providing practical skills and work experience to individuals transitioning from prison.
The Trust describes The Key Cafe, which recently unveiled its new branding via its Instagram account, as “more than just a coffee shop – it’s a lifeline for those seeking a fresh start”. The cafe will be partnering with local and popular brands, including Single Variety Co, Canton Tea, and Triple Co Roast, and promising visitors “a space where high quality food and social purpose intersect”.
Taking to Instagram, the charity cafe shared a video of an empty space confirmed to be the cafe’s new home. Alongside the video, the post read: “And we’re off! Today, work has officially started on the building on Gloucester Road that we are turning into a cafe – which will provide employment for people in prison, or who have recently left it.
“The work is being carried out by Bristol Together – a company that provides full-time jobs for recently released prisoners in the construction industry. They employ and train individuals in a range of building skills, and then help them on to their next role.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported us in reaching this exciting milestone – we can’t wait to see it take shape over the next few months.”
One of the standout features of this initiative is a unique partnership with the award-winning jam makers, Single Variety Co. Known for their ‘commitment to using single-variety ingredients to craft premium preserves’, the company will not only supply the café but also lead jam-making workshops with prisoners.
These workshops aim to equip participants with valuable culinary skills and confidence, helping them build a foundation for life beyond incarceration. Pots of ‘Jail Jar Jam’ will be available to purchase from Papadeli on Alma Road in Clifton, with proceeds going back into the project and raising funds for the jam making equipment.
Ross Elliot, Director at Single Variety Co, explained the motivation behind the collaboration, saying: “As a local company, we’ve always sought ways to give back to our community. The Key Café’s mission of reducing reoffending through practical training really resonated with us.
“We’re thrilled to help create a unique jam for the café and, more importantly, offer new skills to individuals looking to turn their lives around.”
BristolLive first reported on plans for the cafe back in October 2023 when The Key Cafe was given planning permission to open in a disused Ministry of Justice building in front of the prison in Horfield. According to its website, The Key describes how it will ‘open a cafe and retail space that will sell speciality coffees and cakes and bespoke handmade products, including upcycled goods and art produced in prisons and by independent craftspeople’.
Simon and Tom Green, described as ‘legends of the Bristol food scene’, as well as leading influencers and entrepreneurs, were reported to be acting as partners, consultants and project managers for the cafe. All involved have been working with the board of trustees, HMPs Bristol, Leyhill and Eastwood Park, the Ministry of Justice and The Restore Trust to bring the cafe to fruition.
No official opening date has been confirmed as of yet, however the Cafe regularly posts to its social channels to keep people updated of its progress.