A Glasgow cafe which has helped tackle poverty, create jobs and bring people together in the community is to close after its running costs became unsustainable.
Toshie’s Cafe on Garscube Road in Queens Cross will close for the final time on Friday 13 November.
The social enterprise, which opened in January 2023, was established to provide affordable food while creating employment and training opportunities for people who face barriers to finding work.
Announcing the closure, the team said: “We’re sad to share that Toshie’s Cafe will close on Friday 13th November.
“Without external support, the costs of running a cafe social enterprise have become unsustainable in the current financial climate.
“It was not an easy decision to make.
“Thank you to every partner, volunteer and supporter who made Toshie’s what it was.
“And a special thank you to our loyal customers; we couldn’t have made it this far without you.”
Toshie’s was developed through a partnership between Queens Cross Workspace and The Courtyard Pantry Enterprise, a charity working to tackle poverty and food insecurity in north Glasgow.
Named after the nickname of Glasgow architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, whose church stands nearby, the cafe aimed to offer something different from a traditional high street business.
Its purpose was to provide paid employment, training and work experience for people who might otherwise struggle to enter the jobs market, including young people, people with disabilities and parents with young children.
The cafe served affordable breakfasts, lunches, homemade soups, sandwiches and cakes, using locally sourced ingredients and coffee from Glasgow suppliers. The money generated was reinvested in community projects.
Dale Todd, managing director and co-founder of The Courtyard Pantry Enterprise, previously explained the thinking behind the business.
He said: “Buying a coffee, snack, or meal at Toshie’s equates to so much more than spending in a multinational coffee chain on the high street. Every penny we generate is reinvested into local projects that directly help the Glasgow community we serve.”
The organisation previously reported that its team had doubled in size and that it had provided more than 16,000 hours of work experience at the real Living Wage in less than a year.
Toshie’s also played a role in supporting families struggling with the cost of living.
In 2023, Queens Cross Housing Association worked with The Courtyard Pantry Enterprise to provide free community meals, including ten sessions at Toshie’s and four at Dundasvale Residents Hall.
More than 200 people attended the programme, which offered warm meals in a welcoming environment where residents could meet others and socialise.
Financial wellbeing staff also attended some sessions to provide benefits advice and help residents experiencing hardship access food and energy vouchers.
One participant told the housing association: “I wouldn’t have come out of the house otherwise, and it makes a change having someone cook for me.”
Another said: “It’s nice to treat the kids, I can’t remember the last time we went out for dinner.”
The cafe also supported Glasgow artists by exhibiting their work, with proceeds from sales going directly to the artists.
Its wider community role extended beyond food and employment, providing a meeting place for local residents and community groups.
The Courtyard Pantry Enterprise also operates a food pantry in Westercommon, where members can access affordable groceries and household essentials. Its other activities include community catering, employment support and initiatives to reduce food waste.
The decision to close Toshie’s highlights the financial pressures facing social enterprises which seek to deliver community benefits while meeting the costs of running a hospitality business.
The team confirmed that the cafe will remain open until Friday 13 November, serving a reduced menu of teas, coffees, cakes and soup.
They added: “If you can, please pop along to sample some Toshie’s fare for one last time. The team will really appreciate it.”