A vital hub that supports those less fortunate, connects and brings people together, educates, entertains and nourishes, @thegrange is a community centre based in Grange Park in Blackpool. Managed by Groundwork CLM on behalf of Blackpool Council, it consists of a community farm, shop, library, pharmacy, event space, meeting rooms and café.

What The Grange Offers

With volunteering opportunities, bingo, health walks, theatre, social functions, luncheon clubs, sports and fitness classes, beavers and scouts, gardening clubs, armed forces and cadet events, Parkinson’s drop ins and more, the centre has made a massive difference to people’s lives since it was opened in 2018. Blackpool’s Food Bank visits every Monday and the enterprise offers monthly low-cost community meals and a Winter Warmer Club to help visitors keep warm, save electricity and gain free access to the launderette.

Opening its doors in 2021, the café has quickly become a crucial part of the enterprise. Brenda Griffin, a former school cook who runs the café, explains:
“During the pandemic I was brought in to prepare meals for delivery in the local area to vulnerable residents. They were so popular that when the lockdowns finished, we launched the café and it’s grown from there. We prepare everything fresh each day and we’re passionate about working in a sustainable way, so we source locally, compost all our waste and don’t use single use plastic. All our profits go back into supporting the work the centre carries out.”

The Menu

With a community garden and a host of volunteers, the café and its menu benefit from freshly picked fruits and vegetables.

“We’re incredibly lucky to be able to use fresh produce from our community garden throughout the year. I simply ask Claire what we have, and she provides whatever is freshest and ready to go. Lettuce, herbs, tomatoes, courgettes and fruits – you name it, it’s been on our menu. This not only enables us to cut food miles but ensures we have a vibrant, constantly changing menu for our guests.”

“We offer the classics such as a quality English breakfast, breakfast rolls, sandwiches and paninis but we also provide homemade cakes and a daily special, which usually showcases something from the garden. We use loads of Country Range products, and I honestly can’t tell the difference between them and the big brands when it comes to quality and taste. The cake mixes are personal favourites. They save a lot of time and they’re so easy to use to create showstopping cakes.”

Set to retire in February, Brenda will be sorely missed by the team, the visitors and customers but has promised that she won’t be a stranger.

“I’d be lying if I said I’m not looking forward to a proper sleep in and a bit of travelling, but there’s no doubt I will continue to be a familiar face at @thegrange. It’s very much like family. Hopefully, I will be on the other side doing the eating, drinking and relaxing!”

Find out more

For more information visit, the At the Range – Blackpool website