Support the Grumpy Cook and Make Someone Happy
MAZIN AL-JUMAILI, one of the founders of the men’s health charity, Mr Hastings and St Leonards, talks to Barry Ashley of The Grumpy Cook
Barry Ashley moved to Hastings and started up two pay-it-forward cafes, one in the heart of the town centre.
Over the last eighteen months or so, The Grumpy Cook on Robertson Street, a near neighbour of the former Debenhams, has been a lifeline and salvation for individuals and families struggling to put food on the table.
When asked about his mission, Barry says: “We are providing disadvantaged people with cooked meals for free” and, whilst to all outward appearances the Grumpy Cook looks like a pretty standard coffee shop, it is a social business that encourages those customers able to do so to ‘pay forward’, effectively sponsoring a drink or a meal for those less able to pay.
“I want to help people feed people but without any stigma, and when people come in here they would never know whether someone is eating cheaply, free or paying full price,” Barry tells us.
He has experimented with targeted events such an over 65s afternoon, with great success, providing a regular space for seniors to meet each week over a cup of tea and cake.
He has expanded this to start a men’s meal group, saying, “I will try and mirror what I did with the over 65s and just say that we’ve got a male only get-together with free food and free drink. The only condition is that people come round and are happy to meet new people – who often become friends.”
The Grumpy Cook is at 1a Robertson Street, Hastings. Go to table88.co.uk/the-grumpy-club for more information about Grumpy Men’s Club.
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