Cirencester & The Long Table

In the centre of Cirencester lies a thriving marketplace, surrounded by pastel-coloured townhouses and overlooked by one of the largest churches in England.

Overlooking this marketplace, in what used to be a big department store, stands a unique social enterprise hub named ‘The Long Table‘. This building, which has been sitting empty for years, is now home to a collection of community-minded businesses.

I’m a regular customer. Because with a pay-what-you-can restaurant, a bike repair shop, a second-hand furniture shop, a preloved children’s store, and a play space – The Long Table has it all.

Food Served by the Community, for the Community

The founders of this project had a simple mission: to make delicious and nutritious food available for everyone. No matter what you can afford – you are welcome to have a seat at The Long Table, which is a restaurant that serves seasonal meals made using produce from local farmers and suppliers. Often the food is grown on regenerative farms, which means what you’ve eaten has not only nourished you but the land too. I’ve enjoyed many a hearty meal here, and I’ve never been disappointed.

A Third Space for Families

As parents will know, parenting can be lonely, and finding places to take the kids is not always easy. When it rains, which happens frequently on this drizzly Isle of ours, it’s even more challenging. Thankfully, The Long Table provides this vital Third Space for families. Named ‘The Village’, a nod to the saying that it ‘takes a village to raise a child’, here you will find a dedicated play space, with role-play areas, plenty of toys to play with, and books to read. During weekends and holidays, when families are often at a loose end, there are activities to engage your young ones, such as story time, craft tables, and music sessions.

A Space for Bargain-Hunters

As advocates for the circular economy, The Long Table wants to keep things out of landfill. As you enter the venue, there are rows of second-hand furniture from The Home Remedy. From Victorian Pine chests to mid-century drawers – there is something for everyone, and at a very reasonable price. But the bargains don’t end there, adjacent to The Village is a preloved store called Kids Stuff, where you can find many bargains with sleepsuits for 50p, and 5 books for £2. Furthermore, if you want a refurbished bike, come take a look at all the wheels on offer at The Bike Drop.

Community Events

On top of all this, there are also live music events. You can listen to local artists perform while tucking into an evening meal. To enjoy even more activities, visit Briscombe Mill in Stroud, a near-identical establishment that has been running for 6 years. From painting workshops, book clubs, cookery courses, and more – each day has at least one event taking place. According to their Social Impact Report, they put on 389 events last year alone.

Community Support

The Long Table goes beyond providing an inclusive third space. Several community outreach projects are helping many locals improve their lives. They offer placements for people who need employment support, send out ‘love meals’ to community freezers, and give bundles and gift cards so families can get much-needed items from their preloved children’s store.

A town with a long history

Step outside of The Long Table, and you will find a thriving market town with a history that goes back the Roman times. Previously known as ‘Corinium’, ancient Romans would flock to the town, which was the second most important settlement after London. The amphitheatre, which now lies buried under turf, used to hold 8000 people. To learn more about this fascinating history, you can visit The Corinium Museum.

The Capital of Cotswolds

Now, as the largest town in the Cotswolds, Cirencester has an array of third spaces to enjoy. Next to The Corinium Museum lies Blackjack Street – one of the oldest streets in Cirencester. Here you will find the award-winning bookshop Octavia’s and a selection of cafes that spill out onto the street.

For something really special, step into Stable Yard – an oasis of third spaces tucked away from the hustle and bustle. Here you can paint pottery at Pick and Pot and Paint, make a terrarium at Cotswold Plant House, or visit MakerCulture, which sells products made by local artists, makers, and manufacturers using recycled and repurposed materials.  For green spaces, visit Abbey Grounds Park which has a bandstand, a lake, and a play area, or Cirencester Park, where beautifully landscaped walking routes take you past sculptures, follies, and vistas.

A Treasure Trove of Third Spaces

The town of Cirencester is brimming with third spaces. In fact, there are third spaces within third spaces. Walk down some of the arcades, and you will find lots of third spaces tucked away. Pass through the doors of The Long Table, and there is a third space in every corner – each offering something different.

For over 1000 years, Cirencester is a town with a long history of bringing locals together. From the amphitheatres in ancient times, to medieval congregations in churches. But nowadays, community hubs can be hard to come by. The Long Table recognises this and decided to step up,  describing itself as a ‘modern monastery’:

‘Monasteries are groups of people living and working together…Groups that eat, learn, think and work together are changed and recreated by it. We are building a network of people who are more than just colleagues or funders or cheerleaders. We want to build a diverse, networked community.’

This is a Third Space with some serious heart, and in a time where there is a dearth of community hubs – The Long Table is leading the way.