A popular Bradford community café that announced closure earlier this month has now launched a crowdfunding campaign to rescue it from immediate closure and secure its future until the end of January 2023.

Bread + Roses café has seen a huge amount of support and in little under a week, over 130 supporters have donated more than £6,700, which has been boosted with a £10,000 pledge from the Power to Change Crowdmatch Fund, taking the campaign well on its way to its £20,000 target.

The announcement that Bread + Roses may have to close due to a string of unsuccessful funding applications sparked an overwhelming response of support and a calling for something to be done.

If successful, this money will safeguard the jobs of 3 full-time and 7 part-time employees and allow Bread + Roses to continue to provide many volunteer opportunities, as well as a home for community organisations and small businesses, and a vibrant cafe and community hub that brings people together in Bradford.

We’ve made it to £16,500 so far! 🎉🥳

A massive thank you to everyone who has supported us so far, every donation makes a difference + we need to keep the momentum going!

Support our Crowdfunder: https://t.co/7kThqre0Th… 🍞🌹 pic.twitter.com/yIkEWGNbPn

It will mean Bread + Roses can continue to build its programme of community wellbeing events and creative workshops, whilst providing an inclusive and welcoming venue in the heart of Bradford City Centre.

This is the third time Bread + Roses has launched a public crowdfunding campaign to raise funds in the four years since it opened. It previously raised £2,500 and £10,000 from hundreds of small donations. This is the biggest target yet and so far, it looks to be just as popular and well supported, and the Bread + Roses crowdfunder looks well on track to surpass its £20,000 target and keep it open, for now.

Gina Riley, Officer of Bread + Roses said: “It means an incredible amount to us to see the overwhelming support that Bread + Roses has received so far, we already knew that we made a mark on the local communities but the impact of that is shining now more than ever.

“We'd like the say a huge thank you to all those who have donated to the crowdfunder so far, every donation adds to the cause and helps us build towards a more sustainable future for the co-operative." 

Bread + Roses offers a unique experience and service, combining a healthy eating cafe with spaces to meet and work, a programme of affordable and often free creative workshops and community wellbeing events, and volunteering opportunities to many people in the local community. 

The crowdfunder hopes to harness the energy and pride of its community to begin building a sustainable future for the organisation and to make its story a story of success. Bread + Roses is a member-owned co-operative organisation.

Fundraising events are planned for July in a show of solidarity and support for this much valued community asset.