New community café opens on Museum Street with youth training focus

Why it matters: The café provides young people with barista, kitchen and hospitality skills whilst serving culturally diverse food to the community.

The details: Roots opened on Wednesday, 3 December at Westgate House, 1 Museum Street, operating as a pop-up café this winter before a full launch in the new year.

The café serves freshly brewed coffee, vegetarian and home-cooked food inspired by the cultures that shape Ipswich.

Opening times are Tuesday to Wednesday and Friday to Saturday from 9:30-16:30, with late-night opening until 20:00 on Thursdays. The café is closed on Mondays and Sundays.

What they're saying: Debbie Jones, Community Leader at Asda, that part-funded the cafe with a £20,000 community grant, said ICM were a charity they "have supported over the past year through raffle prizes and other donations." She said the organisation "do incredible work within our community, particularly in the more deprived areas, and offer support to people of all ages and backgrounds."

"Their focus on helping children, as well as individuals from a wide range of ethnic minorities, makes them an essential part of our area. I felt they were a truly worthwhile cause – one that brings people together and strengthens our community," she added.

The bottom line: Roots combines youth development with community connection, providing a welcoming space to grab a hot drink and food from around the world, whilst creating opportunities for young people to learn new skills.