Old Town Hub - Community Café

Old Town Hub CIC & Set2Win were established in 2020 with the aim of making tennis coaching accessible to individuals of all ages and backgrounds. We firmly believe that sports should be inclusive and that financial constraints should not be a barrier to participation. Over the years, we have successfully provided high-quality coaching programs, nurturing talent and fostering a love for tennis among our community members. Winning LTA Communities & Parks Venue Of The Year Award & LTA Development Coach Of The Year Award.

We over a variety of affordable tennis for all, including much loved Free Community Tennis session each Saturday, with free play and equipment provided to all.

One of the key challenges we face here at the Old Town Courts, is the lack of social space and amenities for our participants. Nearest Café facilities are at least a 10-minute walk away, and recent surveys of the users of the park has identified a real desire from the community.

Recognising the need for a café facility that not only caters to the refreshment needs of our players and spectators, but also serves as a social hub where members of the community can gather, relax, and socialise. The café will offer a range of food and beverage options, providing a welcoming environment for all. Whilst we re also making improvements to the football changing facilities and existing amenities.

We have a successfully secured a 15-year lease agreement with Eastbourne Borough Council for a substantial portion of the Changing Room block and have obtained planning permission for development to create a Café space.

We are seeking a funding amount of £20,000 to support the redevelopment costs and initial operation of the café facilities.

This funding will cover the costs of building works – internal walls removed and redecoration costs, equipment, furniture, and initial inventory.

This is initially to the new Café area, but will also allow us to provide upgrades to the Football Changing and officials space, to encourage use of the football pitch facilities.

We are confident that with your support, we can create a sustainable and thriving café that will benefit the community for years to come.

We are able to provide a percentage of match funding, deliverable via community hours which

have been pledged to the project and from goods and services from community donations. With many pledges already received from our Old Town Community.

Enhanced Participant Experience:

The café will provide a convenient and comfortable space for our participants to relax and recharge before, during, and after their tennis sessions. This will contribute to an overall positive experience and encourage increased engagement with our programs, and the recreation ground as a whole.

Sustainable Revenue Stream:

The café will generate a steady income that will be reinvested into upgrading our existing facilities at the Old Town Rec. Following the upgrade of the changing room facilities, we also plan to reinvest in the recreation ground with new paths, trees and upgrade the basketball/children’s play area.

Job Creation: The establishment of the café will create employment opportunities for the local community. We anticipate the need for four full-time employees and one part-time employee to manage operations at the café. This will not only provide valuable job opportunities, but also contribute to the economic

growth of the area.

Community Development:

The café will serve as a gathering place for local residents, fostering a sense of community and social interaction. With its stunning views of the Downs, it will become a popular destination for individuals and families, further enhancing the appeal and utilisation of the Old Town Rec as destination.