Not-for-profit Fair Shot Café opens in Covent Garden

Fair Shot Café, the social enterprise, not-for-profit operator, has opened at The Yards, Covent Garden.

The project focuses on tackling the unemployment rate amongst adults with learning disabilities via the café, and has opened its 2,224 sq ft unit within The Yards. 

Each year the enterprise enrols 12 young adults into its hospitality training programme, placing trainees once they graduate in organisations across London.

Trainees will spend four days a week working at the café with a mentor, and one day a week at their partner college to carry out the educational side of the programme. 

The cafe delivers seasonal all-day dining options with a particular focus on inclusive eating for all dietary requirements. Its menu includes fresh salads, Focaccias and toasties, as well as pastries and sweet treats.

Fair Shot The Yards spans across two floors, the ground floor café providing a “mid-century Bohemian feel”, with rattan banquette seating for up to 30 covers, a communal table and hanging plants. 

The first floor hosts Fair Shot’s main office, where the social enterprise will run its operations, as well as a sensory blackout room, “designed especially with the trainees in mind”. 

Bianca Tavella, founder and CEO of Fair Shot, said: “We’re really excited about what The Yards will be able to deliver for us, being such a well-established and popular location, with a blend of innovative concepts and operators based there.  

“We’re excited to embed ourselves within the West End and are confident Fair Shot will thrive here, enabling us to create a wider community of togetherness, awareness, and inclusivity and ultimately, continue to make employment for those with learning disabilities far more accessible.”

Abi Labbett, senior director at CBRE, added: “The opening of Fair Shot Café marks another exciting addition to The Yards’ myriad of distinctive F&B concepts and strengthens the destination’s positioning as a go-to for visitors, residents, and office workers, come day or night. 

“Fair Shot spreads a positive message about inclusivity and equality, which echoes the values of the destination on every level. At The Yards, we’ve been able to create a hub of concepts which embody difference and authenticity, and we’re proud to have Fair Shot as part the destination.”