Lauren Nancekivell Principal Project 35 Partners Ginsters and Argyle Community Trust are proud to introduce ‘Common Ground Café’, a newly rebranded and revitalised community café which is open to all in the heart of Devonport.
The team from Ginsters and Trust staff were thrilled to welcome local people to a community-focused opening to introduce the new space. Members of the public were joined by attendees from our health and wellbeing sessions, and members of the Gym at Foulston Park, to enjoy a hot drink, socialise, and enjoy free samples of some of Ginsters tasty products.
The café will provide the perfect location for further support for Project 35, Argyle’s social impact initiative in partnership with Ginsters. Project 35 aims to tackle food poverty in Plymouth, Devon, and Cornwall through a campaign of fund raising, awareness raising, social outreach, food donations, education, and charity support. After reaching 100k in meal donations last year, the café will play a vital role in helping to achieve the next milestone of donating 250k meals to those in need.
Features of the new café include:
- A year-round food donation point for Project 35 – The café will act as a collection destination of items of in-date, non-perishable food items and sanitary products to replenish the Manadon Food Larder and wider food bank network to support those most in need.
- Pay It Forward scheme – Customers will have the opportunity to pay their purchase forward to support someone coming into the café who may be in need.
- Project 35 initiatives and fundraisers – various initiatives will run across the year to support those most vulnerable.
- Information and update stations – the café will be a valuable resource for informing the community of upcoming Project 35 events.
- Quality coffee and a variety of hot and cold food – new menu items are being trialled and introduced for 2026 including more healthy options, and protein shakes.
Dwain Morgan, Head of Business Development at the Trust, said: “I’d like to thank Ginsters for sponsoring the café and for their support in helping it become a safe and engaging space for local people to enjoy.
“We are proud that our café will not only serve delicious food and drink but also help tackle food poverty in Devonport and beyond. The aim with Common Ground Café is to raise awareness of community issues and create opportunities for people to support or be supported.
“We look forward to welcoming many local residents and getting to know them over a warm brew!”
Sarah Babb, Marketing Director, at Ginsters said: “We are incredibly proud to support the launch of Common Ground Café and to see this space come to life at the heart of the Devonport community.
“Our partnership with Argyle Community Trust and Plymouth Argyle through Project 35 is about much more than food; it’s about people, connection and belonging. Cafés like this can be a real lifeline, offering not only access to affordable food but also a welcoming place where people can come together, feel supported and combat loneliness and isolation. Common Ground Café perfectly reflects our shared commitment to supporting local communities, creating opportunities for engagement, and making a positive, lasting difference.”
From its inception in 2022, Project 35 has donated 10 tonnes of food products to local families and individuals through various fan appeals and events across the city, as well as an additional 100,000 Ginsters products. So far, 23,395 Ginsters hampers have been provided to children across Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall from 2022-2025 during Easter, Summer and Christmas Holidays and our Community Food Larder in support of Project 35 continues to grow with 319 individuals signed up as members.
Since The Hub opened its doors in March 2025, the café has continued to develop into a welcoming and inclusive space for people to connect and socialise. You don’t have to be a member or attending a session – simply come along and enjoy! Also located on the site is a soft play zone adjoined to the café, gym, large activities hall, and esport room perfect for events and celebrations, and a destination for individuals and families.
For more information on The Hub at Foulston Park visit https://foulstonpark.co.uk/the-hub/. For more information on Project 35, how you can support or get involved visit https://www.pafc.co.uk/project35.
