Since its opening in September 2020, PATCH is quickly becoming a Leytonstone household name. But let's rewind a little to its early beginnings...
Sometime around 2018, Cann Hall Can (a local charity) approach Waltham Forest council to get the lease on the empty building in Cann Hall Park with the idea to start a community cafe. After a complete transformation, PATCH opened in September 2020.
Since then the park has very quickly metamorphosed itself from an empty & unloved space into a vibrant hub.
One flat white at the time, PATCH managed to bring the community together into a single spot. Cann Hall Can has be instrumental in supporting this success (relocation and upgrade of the old skatepark, organising live music events in the park, upcoming repurposing of the old-skatepark). Together, they have initiated the Farmers Market in front of Buxton school which run every Sunday between 10 and and 2pm.
PATCH is modelled on the Australian idea of a cafe where both food and coffee have equal parts. The day starts at 8 am with early risers in need for their first caffeine kick. Then follows the school drop-off crowd more in search of a pastry to substantiate their brew. Around 10am, it is pram central: oat lattes, babyccinos, egg & bacon buns & vegan sausage rolls.
The real peak time is lunch when Claudia and the team at PATCH have put the last touches on the Ottolenghi-esque display of fresh salads, filo pies and other daily specials.
There is no menu, a daily offering that keeps on changing and being published on Instagram few minutes before l(cr)unch time. Before the close at 4:30pm, cakes will brought out and more coffees will be ordered.
On weekends, the local teens are joining the PATCH crew to help out. Besona, Emmanuel, Ella, Ruby, Yussuf, Vinnie are jumping between the coffee machine, the grill and the till. Through intense training and great enthusiasm, they have all quickly become the weekend armada.
PATCH offers more than coffee and food, it is the lynchpin that connects every home to the community.
With that idea in mind, Claudia and Cann Hall Can have came up with the idea of a summer festival, on July 16th and 17th inside Cann Hall Park. The festival is open to all and will feature a roller disco, workshops and activities for kids, live music and much more. Many locals businesses and residents have already offered to take part. Every neighbour with a hidden talent, a craft hobby or other idea is welcome to join (please come and talk to Claudia at PATCH or reach out to Cann Hall Can on: @cannhallcan). Food and drinks will also be there, make notes in your diaries!
For further info follow @patchcafecannhall and their Patch HQ @patchcafehq
