Harrogate gardening charity Horticap is preparing to throw open the doors and welcome customers to its new cafe in a building built with the legacy of a former student.
Hopkins at Horticap is named in honour of Peter Hopkins, who was a student for more than 20 years and left his house in Bilton to the charity after he and his mother Marjorie died.
It has been a long time in the making. The charity has wanted to expand with a new building for a long time, but it was only made possible when the Hopkins family left their legacy to Horticap.
Peter Hopkins has made a big difference.
Phil Airey, operations manager at Horticap, told the Stray Ferret:
“Peter was a proper gentleman, a lovely guy. He had a great personality and used to do everything.
“It came as a bolt from the blue, the whole estate came to us. Peter’s mum Marjorie felt like we were his extended family, she wanted us to be able to continue to look after others.
“This is why we have built this. This is quite literally the house that Peter built. It was always on the plans, we had been putting some money aside but the legacy made all the difference.
“Not only is this going to be a great revenue stream for the charity but it is going to be a fabulous resource for our students to learn more skills.”
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Work started more than three years ago and the cafe would have likely opened much earlier this year or even last year, but coronavirus delayed the construction.
But the cafe opens for the first time on Monday and will start by serving hot drinks and cakes. It will soon expand the range to include sandwiches and more.
Chris Walsh, head chef for Hopkins at Horticap, also told the Stray Ferret:
“I’m a little bit nervous but I am excited to open and get the reputation we want for good quality food, drinks and local ingredients.
“The students will be involved as soon as possible. They will be in the kitchen preparing food, serving customers. They are all looking forward to it.
“It might sound simple but it can be a big achievement to our students to be able to make a barista coffee, that’s what it’s all about.”
