Entrepreneurs dish up new cafe in Oldbury
A high quality cafe has been opened at an office block in the Black Country by two local entrepreneurs looking to improve facilities for businesses and workers.
Dominic Goold, managing director of Oldbury-based Goold Estates, and Andy Cleary, managing director of Birmingham-based Tang Food, came up with the idea to serve office workers.
Tang Cafe has been launched in Black Country House, Oldbury, in a £70,000 investment, with stylish interiors inspired by historic manufacturer Accles and Pollock.
Tang Food has agreed a 10-year lease on the unit within Black Country House, which is owned by Goold Estates.
Mr Cleary has been in catering for 22 years and clients include those from both the public and private sector.
Tang is one of just a few companies that can offer a Starbucks business alliance partnership.
The new eaterie will provide the 300 people that work at the office building with a range of freshly cooked dishes, each made on site by a fully trained chef, who is able to supply dishes to customer orders including vegan, gluten free and street food options. Local suppliers are used for many food items.
It will also provide hospitality services for meetings and events staged by companies based there.
“We are always keen to make improvements and provide facilities to enhance the experience for businesses, employees and visitors. Tang Café not only looks great, but the food Andy and his team are serving is amazing," said Mr Goold.
Vision
Mr Cleary added: “Dominic and I discussed the opportunities to improve facilities for employees and the café was a shared vision. We have similar units in London and Birmingham, which have been a great success, and Dominic wanted to make sure he really looked after the office tenants.
"We specialise in providing clients and customers with fresh, contemporary and tasty food. We believe that, internally, this can help to improve morale, productivity, motivation and keep staff well-fed and happy; externally, this can retain existing clients and attract potential tenants.
“We have been delivering delicious and wholesome food since 1997 in Birmingham and beyond. Tang Food has extensive experience in onsite cafes as an independent contract caterer with an excellent team of dedicated chefs and friendly serving staff. We took our style inspiration from Accles and Pollock, which was once based here. It’s a very industrial look, with lots of black and white images and reclaimed or salvaged furniture.
“There are 300 people in the building and we will provide them with a great choice of healthy dishes. The early signs are very encouraging.”
Black Country House in Rounds Green Road is home to Goold Estates’ head office. It was originally the headquarters of Accles and Pollock, famous for building the world's first all-metal aircraft, the Mayfly. The company moved to the site in 1902, from where it grew to become one of Britain’s foremost tubing manufacturers.
Goold Estates bought Black Country House in 2008, transforming the building through a £2.4 million refurbishment project, including a new façade and reception area. Occupiers include national audit, tax and advisory firm Crowe.
