Cirencester & The Long Table

In the centre of Cirencester lies a thriving marketplace, surrounded by pastel-coloured townhouses and overlooked by one of the largest churches in England. Overlooking this marketplace, in what used to be a big department store, stands a unique social enterprise hub named ‘The Long Table‘. This building, which has been sitting empty for years, is now home to a collection of community-minded businesses. I’m a regular customer. Because with a pay-what-you-can restaurant, a bike repair shop, a second-hand furniture shop, a preloved children’s store, and a play space – The Long Table has it all. Food served by the community, for the community The founders of this project had a simple mission: to make delicious and nutritious food available for everyone. No matter what you can afford – you are welcome to have a seat at The Long Table, which is a restaurant that serves seasonal meals made using produce from local farmers and suppliers. Often the food is grown on regenerative farms, which means what you’ve eaten has not only nourished you but the land too. I’ve enjoyed many a hearty meal here, and I’ve never been disappointed. A Third Space for Families As parents will know, parenting can be lonely, and finding places to take the kids is not always easy. When it rains, which happens frequently on this drizzly Isle of ours, it’s even more challenging. Thankfully, The Long Table provides this vital Third Space for families. Named ‘The Village’, a nod to the saying that it ‘takes a village to raise a child’, here you will find a dedicated play space, with role-play areas, plenty of toys to play with, and books to read. During weekends and holidays, when families are often at a loose end, there are activities to engage your young ones, such as story time, craft tables, and music sessions. A Space for Bargain-Hunters As advocates for the circular economy, The Long Table wants to keep things out of landfill. As you enter the venue, there are rows of second-hand furniture fro...