OPPORTUNITIES

A business venture that bills itself as the UK’S first social enterprise bar group has launched a crowdfunding initiative as it looks to extend its reach in the Scottish capital.

Last year, Edinburgh-based Beer for Good CIC (BFG) turned popular watering hole Harry’s Bar in the city’s west end into a social enterprise venture. Some 12 months on, it is preparing to revamp the capital’s first social enterprise pub, Southside Social, in Buccleuch Street.

A five-figure crowdfunding initiative has been set up to help with the backing for the project as BFG “continues its drive to transform the lives of people from difficult or disadvantaged backgrounds”.

The bar, which opened its doors for the first time in August 2015, will close for a couple of weeks at the end of August for a refit, before reopening as Harry’s Southside in mid-september.

Central to the makeover will be the provision of improved facilities, most notably a new training and production kitchen, and a range of opportunities to help boost people’s

0 Chris Thewlis says training courses will be a key focus for the venture

CHRIS THEWLIS, DIRECTOR employment potential in the catering and hospitality industry.

Training courses and modern apprenticeships for youngsters disengaged from learning will also be a key focus at the new Harry’s offshoot.

Beer For Good CIC director Chris Thewlis said: “We continue to work tirelessly to try to change lives for the better and hospitality can give youngsters a decent career and an escape from a bad environment. Wepromotethehighest possible standards in hospitality and vocational training services, providing an exciting pathway for individuals to achieve their full potential through inclusivity and transparency.

“Southside Social was Edinburgh’s first social enterprise pub and with this makeover we plan to take it to the next level and start an exciting journey for even more people.”

He added: “Money raised via the crowdfunding vehicle will allow us to plough investment into countless more vocational

“We continue to work tirelessly to try to change lives for the better and hospitality can give youngsters a decent career”