Turning a crumbling pub – The Mag in East Dulwich – into London’s first 100% self-sustaining community gastropub, growing all its own food, is the modest objective of the project to launch The Patch!
And although the kickstarter initiative may not yet have delivered all the funding that is required, this looks like a project that ‘has legs’: the local community is supportive and interested, and will certainly be watching closely to see how it develops.
And The Patch is well located within a few moments of the busiest sector of bustling Lordship Lane, which should help it to attract its share of the out of home hospitality expenditure!
‘Kickstarting’ the project
Using ‘kickstarter’ to raise funds to build the kitchen garden, install vertical growing units, and convert the derelict barn, the fund raising statement outlines how The Patch will operate:
“We are re-inventing the concept of the urban pub. Fully independent and self-sufficient, The Patch is a community gastro-pub that is owned, supplied and managed by the local community. We will be providing great quality food from farm to plate. What makes us different from other pubs is that we are a farm too!!! We are proving that a city pub can take control and actually improve its food supply. We are channeling local talent and introducing technology to grow and produce our food in a way that is sustainable and commercially scalable.
“The Patch will use unique vertical farming technology, set up and co-managed with talented local growers and horticulturalists. Everything we do is guided by our high-tech kitchen garden, all organic and specifically tailored for urban space. We will grow and make most of our products. We will be working with local horticulturists to produce up to 50% of our own organic fruit & vegetables. We will be focusing on heirloom vegetable varieties that have not been on British plates for a long time. What we can’t make, we will use local food artisans to supply the rest. Everything that we serve is sourced from within a 25-mile radius.
This is how the vegetables will grow:
The statement continues:
“With your involvement, we will create a true community asset. Not only can we set up our state-of-the-art vertical growing technology that uses 90% less water and land, we can also convert our substantial barn and second kitchen into an artisanal food incubator, including a bakery and a smokehouse. This will allow local artisans the ability to work in a professional environment, giving them a unique platform for their delicious creations as well as improve their products and expand their business.”
The Patch – more than a pub!
As a community gastropub, The Patch believes in healthy food for all, and working closely with four local primary schools to allow them to benefit from their growing technology both for their food supply and as an exciting educational tool for their pupils.
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