The University of Strathclyde has partnered with Social Bite and coffee roaster and supplier Matthew Algie to champion a new socially progressive catering offering.
It is the first Social Bite café in a UK higher education setting and serves Matthew Algie’s Elevator blend, specially selected for the partnership, with every cup sold supporting people experiencing homelessness. Social Bite’s Pay It Forward system will also be in place, enabling customers to buy a coffee and snack for someone who would otherwise be unable to afford it.
As a leading international technological university that is socially progressive, Strathclyde were delighted to pave the way for other universities in the UK.
The café is open to staff, students and the wider public and features large windows, allowing in plenty of natural light, and an extensive seating area which boasts plugs for laptops, a pool table and a projector screen cinema set up allowing for students to gather to watch films.
Progressive ethos
Laura Cassidy, Retail Manager at Strathclyde, said: “We’re really pleased to bring this space in the Lord Todd Building back to life with this refurbishment and partner with Matthew Algie and Social Bite to make a difference to homelessness in Scotland. The project very much fits with the university’s socially progressive ethos and it has been widely welcomed by our students.”
Raj Juneja, Head of Education at Matthew Algie, said: “The opening of this cafe at the University of Strathclyde is a milestone moment, and we are all proud to play a part in supporting the amazing work Social Bite does to support everybody affected by homelessness.”
Matthew Algie is already in talks with several further universities looking to open a Social Bite cafe.
Social Bite founder Josh Littlejohn said: “Through our amazing partnership with Matthew Algie, we now have an opportunity to put Social Bite in front of thousands of young people across the country. With Matthew Algie’s support we’re not only able to supply their fantastic coffee, but to bring awareness of the homelessness issue to a new generation.
The Lord Todd building is ideally placed for students to be able to enjoy this refurbished space, as it will be the closest place to many of the accommodation buildings for students to grab a coffee and enjoy relaxing with friends.
Sustainability was at the heart of the project with the use of recycled materials being prioritised, such as the chairs being made from used coffee sacks.