Eco-friendly café opens on west side of Inverness

A community café which strives to provide healthy living products with an eco-friendly service opens this week on the west side of Inverness.

Café-eco, located at Charleston Community Complex was opened today by Anya McDonald and Ishbel Barr (pupils from Charleston Academy’s Eco-School Group) when they cut a recycled paper banner across the café counter.

This community-based project has been supported by The Highland Council which owns the community complex and Charleston Community Complex Management Committee.

Welcoming the opening of Café-eco, Chairman of Charleston Community Complex Management Committee Tom Wall said: “This is a great addition to the west side of the River Ness. Prior to the opening of Café-eco we had to go into town for a service like this. We are all working together for the benefit of the community, the school and the public.”

Robbie Sheriffs, Café-eco Proprietor said: “We are working hard to provide a sustainable solution to the café culture of Inverness and the Highlands. As we work towards achieving the Consumer Focus Scotland’s  healthyliving award we will be offering a delicious food and drink selection that meets all the requirements of healthy eating including the exclusion of salt from our cooking.”

For the local community, a loyalty card scheme for hot drinks will be on offer, where after the 9th drink the 10th drink is free and discount vouchers will also be available for local schoolchildren. Café-eco will meet Highland Council’s healthy eating policies and all coffees and teas provided will be Fairtrade supplied.

In keeping with Café-eco’s sustainable ethos, disposable plates and cutlery will be used. Made from 100% plant starch, all disposables will be composted over a 6 to 10 week period in partnership with Charleston Academy.

Café-eco is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm with hot breakfasts and porridge to start each day. Fayre on the menu will include: pasta pronto; a baked potato bar; square omelettes; fruit juices and mineral water; and fresh haddock on fish Fridays.