Fish and chips and mushy peas, prepared by a local restaurant (Mayfair Chippy), were served by the Lord Mayor and volunteers to those who have been forgotten by the system and are struggling to find adequate food and shelter.
This service was set up by Farm Street in conjunction with Caritas Westminster, at the request of Westminster City Council, as a collaboration between the Catholic churches in central London, which remained open for business during the pandemic. CLCC (Central London Catholic Churches) is now managed by Jesuits in Britain through Farm Street.
The service now offers lunch twice a week in a large dining room at Farm Street, with donations of food from nearby five-star hotels and restaurants including the Connaught and Claridges, ensuring that approximately 140 people a week are fed for free.
In the wake of recent economic troubles, this service is still as vital as it was during Covid lockdowns. Last week, London Councils, the cross-party body which represents all 33 councils in the capital, estimated that more than 175,000 people are now living in temporary accommodation in the city (1 in 50 people). This is putting strain on local services and people are increasingly turning to charities for help.
Commenting on the Lord Mayor's visit, Fr Dominic Robinson SJ, said:
“It was a great pleasure to welcome the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Robert Rigby, to our homeless restaurant and our new Cana Lounge Café. At Farm Street we aim to work as closely and helpfully as possible with the civic authorities to help those parishioners who sleep on the margins of our parish and are disadvantaged in whatever way by putting them centre stage and doing all we can to give them, thanks to our wonderfully generous local hotels and restaurants the best food, and the opportunity to move on to employment. The Lord Mayor’s support for what we do is so much appreciated”.
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