The Ouseburn plans to diversify and protect jobs
THE operator of two Ouse- burn venues has revealed her plans to diversify in a bid to stay open and protect jobs during the coronavirus crisis.
The owners of Ernest, on Boyd Street, will be opening Ernie, a deli and grocery store behind their venue in mid to late January.
Kate Hodgkinson, one of the venue’s directors, said the store would focus on products from small local producers.
She said: “Ernie is a new shop, deli and take-out around the back of Ernest Cafe in the Ouseburn.
“We will sell hand-picked products with a focus on
bringing you a useful, interesting shop that is as kind as possible to people and the planet whilst keeping a keen eye on affordability.”
Of the 1,196 products stocked by the store 313 are described as “super local”, and will be sourced from within 20 miles.
A further 136 products are sourced from within 100 miles of the shop and 318 come from the UK.
The remaining 430 items are sourced internationally.
Ms Hodgkinson continued: “Out of 116 suppliers we go directly to 91 producers, growers, farmers, or makers.
“Much of the rest is ordered through two workers co-operatives with a long list of ethical intentions behind their set up.
“We have an exclusive arrangement with a wine merchant who only works with small, often family run, mainly organic vineyards and a company founded specifically to search out and supply less well known British food such as the black badger pea.
“Think of it as a cross between a whole food corner shop, farmers’ market, deli, bakery and a very special off licence with loads of local and usual booze and fine wines.”
Ms Hodgkinson also revealed plans to open an outdoor cultural space and additional artists’ studios behind Cobalt, another Boyd Street venue she runs.
The planning application is now ready for submission and Cobalt have just commissioned a licensing lawyer to develop and submit a licensing application.
If it goes ahead the derelict plot will be transformed, with nine to 13 shipping container studios installed.
The outdoor space could also be used for art workshops, film screenings with “silent disco” headphones, pop up art markets, art displays and occasional music events.
However, to make the scheme financially viable it needs a licence so that customers can be served alcohol in the evening.
She added: “Right now we are working really hard to protect jobs and keep Ernest and Cobalt open and put something back into the economy.”