Shared space opens for summer
Pop-up cafe features giant games
On recent walks along Ridgway St you may have been surprised to see people playing games — such as table tennis, giant Connect 4 and giant Jenga — in the open air.
In late November Paul Fletcher, of The Common Ground, opened a new “pop-up” cafe´ in a renovated shipping container on a piece of unused ground at 45 Ridgway St, and the outdoor games are set up in front of it.
“The commons, back in the day, was a public space where people gathered. We are hoping to create just that sort of space,” says Paul. “We would like this site to be a shared one, with everyone and anyone welcome to come and use the outdoor games.”
“A core part of the Town Centre Regeneration Strategy is to create more activity in our central city spaces and provide young people with something to do, so it’s great to support this project as it really fits the bill,” says Ellen Young, Whanganui District Council’s Town Centre Regeneration project manager.
As well as providing a space to benefit the community, Paul says The Common Ground also exists to provide local young people with “work experience in a highly supportive environment”.
The cafe´ has three young trainees. “They gain work readiness skills, build their confidence, and learn how to work in a team environment.”
Open from 7.30am-3pm Monday to Friday, the cafe is a non-profit business — 100 per cent of any profits will be directed into community projects for young people.
Paul says he was pleased to get the business “up and running and fully compliant in time for summer”. The pop-up cafe will be in place for six months.
The Common Ground has had support from businesses and community organisations, such as Urban Effects, a local park and street furniture business which created the table tennis table.
“Being open to new ideas and supporting social enterprise is vital for town centre vibrancy and Paul Fletcher, council staff and the landowner are to be congratulated for rising to the challenge,” says Town Centre chairwoman councillor Helen Craig.