Council debates future of beloved charity after news it will be forced to leave city centre
THE fate of a charity cafe which supports vulnerable families in Coventry has been discussed by the city council at a meeting on Tuesday.
Coffee Tots says it can’t afford to stay in the city centre after its home in the City Arcade is knocked down for redevelopment next year.
Now Conservative councillor Peter Male has submitted a motion to the full council meeting asking for the authority to commit to supporting the charity. The motion supported by Cllr Lepoidevin states: “This council will endeavour to find suitable, alternative city centre accommodation for Coffee Tots.”
Cllr Male told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I have met with the management and staff at Coffee Tots, and also spoken to one or two of the families who regularly use the cafe, and it is clear that this is an invaluable service for Coventry residents. Choosing to support Coffee Tots, in presenting my motion, was an easy choice for the Conservative Group.
“We are calling upon the Labour Group to offer cross-party support for our motion and remain hopeful that a suitable alternative, city centre location can be secured for Coffee Tots.
“Failure to do so would potentially result in the loss of a third sector service that has become central to the lives of so many vulnerable families.”
Coffee Tots is run by Three Spires Family Support Trust and supports around 200 families per week.
Its services include a subsidised, child-friendly cafe and free courses for low-income and vulnerable parents.
The charity’s leaders say it needs to stay in the city centre to be as accessible as possible.
Founder and director of Three Spires Family Support Trust, Catherine
Jupp, said: “The city centre cafe location is vital to Coffee Tots’ success. Being in the city centre means that we belong to and are accessible to everyone living in Coventry.
“Although we know regeneration is needed, it must be about the people and not just shiny new buildings.
“We need to create a community that improves the lives and prospects of those living within the city and doesn’t strip them of resources and the charities that have been working for years at a grassroots level.”
A spokesman for Coffee Tots said: “We would like to thank Cllr Pat Seaman for her special interest in Coffee Tots and Cllrs Peter Male and Julia Lepoidevin for proposing the debate.
“We are very encouraged by the amount of councillors who have taken time to visit us and are hopeful that our social value to the people of Coventry will be recognised.”