THIS empty furniture warehouse in Ancoats is in the frontline to tackle Manchester’s homelessness crisis. As social enterprise project Peacemeal it will spread across three floors to include an artisan bakery and restaurant, studio space and a late-night music venue.
The brainchild of Oliver Wilson, son of Factory Records founder Manchester icon Tony Wilson, it will be staffed by folk who have experienced homelessness, providing a platform for individuals to reconnect with a normal life. Sandwiches and affordable meals will be served up at the Adair Street site and through a delivery service to local businesses.
Peacemeal’s ground floor will house a kitchen and dining area, a free co-working space and pop-up shops, as well as an events space hosting occasional club nights.
Essential to the venture is its all-day food offering, curated by DJ/restaurateur Luke Cowdrey above), serving fresh and locally sourced nutritious soul food, including fresh pastries and bread from the in-house bakery, artisan coffee, seasonal salads and sandwiches.
A key addition is the ‘holy grail’ one pot menu, available throughout the day which will feature guest recipes from key chefs around the North.
The first floor will be used as a dance, yoga and meditation space, which community groups will be able to hire free of charge.
The rooftop space will be transformed into an urban farm, working with rehabilitated prison leavers and homeless, who will assist in growing produce for the kitchen – part of a study into the psychological benefits of urban farming.
Planned to open this summer Peacemeal is working with key Manchester charities to recruit individuals who have completed job workshops and kitchen courses, have keys to their first home, and need the final step in securing a job.
It aims to generate up to 18 positions in the bakery, back and front of house and a delivery service connecting to businesses across the city centre.
Oliver Wilson )above) told us: “Rough sleeping on the streets of Manchester has recently been described as a humanitarian crisis. As Manchester witnesses another renaissance, I knew there was something that this city could do, especially through our thriving food and cultural scene. We aim to support Andy Burnham’s homelessness initiative, fitting into his ‘four r’s, providing the final step of ‘reconnection’ through supported employment.
“We’re also approaching this in a holistic fashion, making sure music and arts play a central role in everything we do. We are also proud to be working with other charities from the Manchester Homelessness Partnership such as Booth Centre and Mustard Tree, and key partners in the Manchester food and beverage industry.
“All our profits generated at Peacemeal will be donated to various charity and community projects across the city.”
For more information visit @Peacemeal3 on Twitter