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The first open-plan shared commercial kitchen has opened at St. Paul’s Area Development Enterprise (SPADE) Centre on North King Street, Dublin 7.
The new facility is an area where start-up food and drink producers can start and grow their businesses.
The facility spans across 5,600 square metres, including kitchen and storage facilities, providing capacity for 24 businesses.
The initiative has been co-funded by Enterprise Ireland, Dublin City Council and SPADE. The facility has cost in the region of €3m.
SPACE CEO Bernie Everard said: “This new facility at SPADE is totally unique and will transform how newcomers produce food and beverages. There is nowhere else like it in Dublin and it will provide this exciting cohort of entrepreneurs with a truly unrivalled base that is affordable and sustainable.”
Membership and facilities
The organisation meets with potential members to explore their business ideas and, if successful, they can then join SPADE for a membership fee of €50 a month and rent their space for €12 an hour, with a minimum commitment of four hours.
SPADE offers both shared and individual kitchen spaces to its members. There are also a number of dedicated desks available for individual workers and larger offices to accommodate business teams.
“We also have a wonderful garden where we plan on having food markets to help producers sell their products directly,” Bernie added.
Growing support
According to Adrianna Cocenza Novaes, a 54-year-old Brazilian woman living in Dublin, being accepted into SPADE was the boost that she and her husband needed for their Lebanese food business Zaria.
“We knew we had a good food business concept, as Irish people just love Lebanese food,” said Adrianna.
“SPADE has allowed us the opportunity to grow our business. We deliver and sell directly at the moment, but with the support of SPADE we know our business will grow and develop.”
About Spade
SPADE is a not-for-profit enterprise centre that works to assist local people and food producers to build businesses by offering an inclusive and nurturing community.
Since 1990, SPADE has been providing space and mentoring entrepreneurs. SPADE currently has 30 own-door businesses, including 14 food units. It is set in a 200-year-old church that was gifted.
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