Around 30 people welcomed the Mayor of Ealing, Cllr. Dr Patricia Walker to officially open Orchard Café at the Green Man Lane housing regeneration scheme, West Ealing on Thursday 15 December.  

The opening marked the launch of a new partnership between residential property group, A2Dominion and the University of West London which will see recent hospitality and catering graduates use Orchard Café to develop their business models.

Current students of the university will also be able to secure work placements at the café so they can gain hands-on experience.

Orchard Café is situated at the heart of the Green Man Lane regeneration scheme. This flagship development is transforming an estate in West Ealing, once plagued by antisocial behaviour into a vibrant new community, and making way for nearly 800 quality homes for a range of tenures, including shared ownership and affordable rent.

Recent graduate of the London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism at the University of West London, Vikram Rathour and his business partner are the new café managers and are using the space to develop their business model, which will focus on unique pop-ups and fine dining experiences.

Since the beginning of the regeneration project, A2Dominion, through its Community Investment Team, has engaged with 386 residents at the scheme through multiple initiatives, helping residents find work and providing funding to help set up local own businesses.

Along with the Mayor, Dr Rupa Huq, MP for Ealing and Acton joined A2Dominion staff and Anthony Woodward, the University of West London’s Deputy Vice Chancellor to celebrate the partnership. 

Dawn Wightman, A2Dominion’s Group Housing Director, said: “It was fantastic to see so many local people come together to celebrate the launch of Orchard Café.

"Located in the heart of A2Dominion’s flagship regeneration scheme, the space is a brilliant venue for local entrepreneurs to develop their business ventures.

“This unique partnership underlines both A2Dominion’s and University of West London’s shared long-term commitment to propelling local people into great careers and to creating new businesses.

“The Green Man Lane regeneration project is not only about building new homes but also creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs and businesses, which support the long-term sustainable revitalisation of this neighbourhood.”