Mudlarks reopens

Popular charity cafe Mudlarks has reopened in its new Fore Street home.

The relocated cafe features its familiar interior and signage, serving freshly prepared vegetarian food created with seasonal ingredients grown at the nearby allotment site. 

The vegetarian and vegan cafe was forced out of their Railway Street premises when planning permission was granted for the building to be redeveloped into flats. The Marshall's furniture shop in Fore Street became available last year when owner Keith Marshall retired. After several months of fundraising the shop has been extensively refurbished, with a gallery and outdoor area.

The cafe’s aim is to provide training and employment for adults living with learning difficulties or mental health concerns, improving their skills and providing genuine employment. Every year, 27 marginalised people gain work opportunities at Mudlarks Cafe, which increases their confidence and inclusion in the community. Most beneficiaries achieve a Level 1 Food Hygiene certificate, which then creates job opportunities at other Hertford cafes. Workers learn all aspects of running a cafe from working the till, waiting on tables, assisting the chef, to learning barista skills. Almost everybody in the disabled community wants a job, but only 6% are in paid employment (Source: Foundation for People with Learning Difficulties 2016). Mudlarks cafe is a national model for what our communities could be doing.

Charity director Vic Hobson said: "Lifelong friendships are created here between our staff, volunteers and customers. At Mudlarks Café, customers can see the brilliance of work learning disabled people are capable of when given the opportunity. Mudlarks aims to create a more empathetic cohesive community, and this is very much apparent at The Mudlarks Café and is particularly needed in these uncertain times".