Economic Growth Bulgaria Project #22304

Training 20 Adults in the Poorest Area of Bulgaria

by Phoenix Inspire

Project Report | Apr 5, 2017
April update 2017

By Mick Cooper | Founder

The architect plan, final version I hope

April 2017

I am typing this update whilst I am visiting family and friends and visiting a number of butchers for advice and guidance in preparation for the opening of the Masters' Larder.

Now that the weather is much better life at Phoenix Cafe and Bakery is a little happier. January and February were not good months it has to be said and as a result finances were difficult. Niki and Orlina are still running PC&B with Pavlina. Pavlina is now full time and as a result she is now earning a full time wage. This is good for her and her family. Thank fully PC&B has a solid base of loyal customers to maintain stability and I am pleased to say that Niki is introducing a number of new products to keep interest alive.

Since the early part of February I have been concentrating on the creation of The Masters’ Larder. We are still making repairs to the new venue with a great deal of frustration. Dealing with official agencies has never been easy for me, even when I was in the UK. We have had to deal with conflicting pieces of information and guidelines. One agent said that our plans were good and we were ready to repair only to be told by another that we needed more improvements at more cost and delay. When I return from the UK I will post more information about the developments whilst I have been away.

On a separate note Christine and I deliver English language classes to a group of Roma families in the Gypsy quarter of Vidin two evenings per week. The classes are basic but are designed to improve their ability to speak English. We were asked some time ago to participate in these classes. They are delivered in the local church. We try to include as much dialogue as possible to create a type of applied learning environment.

One of the participants is a young Roma man called Bobby. He is without work and has three children. I have offered him the opportunity to work and learn a new range of skills with me at the Masters’ Larder. I am pleased that he has accepted my offer. Once we have completed repairs and we have all the necessary licence we will begin. Bobby will have a contact and be paid regularly. I hope that Bobby is the first of our trainees. Let us hope that the agencies and

Bulgarian National Television recently interviewed my wife Christine, Pavlina and me about our work and our efforts here in Vidin. The report was aired on National TV just before the recent election took place and maybe the impact was lost amongst all the hype of the election. However, despite this a number of people have reacted to the report positively. Please find within the link to the report

the preparation area is coming along nicely

new front being installed

Links:

Bulgarian National TV report about our work here in Bulgaria

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Jan 8, 2017
The creation of the Masters' Larder 1

By Mick Cooper | Founder of Phoenix Inspire

Hand wash basin area

Good morning to you all

I trust that you are well and in good health. Vidin, like all of Bulgaria at this moment, is under snow and coping with minus temperatures and will continue to do so for a little while longer.

We signed the rental agreement for the old bakery last week and began to refurbish the day after. We knew that it would be hard work to convert the old bakery into a charcuterie operation, but I don't think we understood just how bad. I have uploaded a group of photos which shows you what it was like.

In order to make sure that we are doing things correctly we met with a Food Inspector to get her advice and recommendations. Whilst it was good to do so we have to make a number of construction improvements to create a professional environment and prevent cross contamination. This will increase costs but in the end we will have a professional operation for us to develop new skills within. The Food Inspector asked 'was I going to make this place as good as Phoenix Cafe and Bakery'? I answered 'yes'. If you have good standards based upon your experience you don't know any difference.

In order to create as many opportunities as possible and generate a sustainable future we are going to create a shop area in the new vision. This will not be our key source of income but it does give us the opportunity to develop good retail skills. We will sell our products to the local community. For many they will have never tasted or seen our products. As we develop our reputation for quality products more customers will come to sample. I am told that a growing number of Bulgarians are now looking for quality products instead of volume for little money. I am sure that our hand crafted bacon, gammon, hams, sausages and other meat based products will be successful and meet these needs.

I hope that you like the dream and vision. If you are able to spare any loose change please donate and help me create a new opportunity for this area.

Thank you

Mick

Staff toilet

one part of the back area

the other part of the back area

Our bacon

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Dec 19, 2016
Pre Christmas wishes and interesting news

By Mick Cooper | Founder of Phoenix Inspire

Dear friend and supporter of our work in the poorest region of Europe

I hope that you are well and looking forward to Christmas and the New Year. I want to use this opportunity to update you regarding two pro-active and positive developments here in Vidin.

Phoenix Inspire's motto is 'creating opportunities, inspiring success'. By the time we move into 2017 Phoenix Cafe will have been in operation three and a half years. After being lied to by various politicians and ignored by those in power or with influence, Phoenix Cafe was created to fulfil the aims and objectives of Phoenix Inspire, i.e. to give people of this region a 'chance and to inspired to success'. Phoenix Cafe and Bakery is doing just that; giving people a chance. Phoenix Cafe and Bakery, as it has been known for the past year, has established a wonderful reputation for the quality of its products, the service that it provides, the atmosphere within and the values that it holds.

As we move into 2017 we are about to expand those chances and opportunities for the benefit of Bulgaria.

Niki (our number two at Phoenix Cafe and Bakery) and his wife have been working with us for almost two years. During those two years Niki became a trustee of Phoenix Inspire and has shown commitment and an understanding of why Phoenix Cafe was created. From January 2017 onwards Niki will take over the management and operations of Phoenix Cafe and Bakery Vidin. Niki is being given a unique opportunity on a plate. The complete social enterprise is being handed over to Niki and his family. I am confident that no Bulgarian has ever been handed such an opportunity. In order to fulfil certain criteria Niki will have to employ from a disadvantaged background, maintain the 'Englishness' of the product range, the quality and the reputation of Phoenix Cafe and Bakery. The trustees of Phoenix Inspire will oversee how Niki proceeds.

As I withdraw from Phoenix Cafe and Bakery it allows me the time and freedom to develop a new opportunity. In recent months I have been encouraged and inspired to develop a new social enterprise which is similar to that of a charcuterie. This new opportunity has evolved in order to meet the needs of clients. For those of you who do not live in the country you will not be aware that you cannot purchase good quality charcuterie products in Bulgaria. I have been producing (on a limited scale) 'English' style bacon, gammons, hams and other charcuterie products with great success. As a result their popularity demand has increased here in Vidin and in Sofia. Bulgarian are telling me that there is a growing demand for quality products; products that are crafted and have flavour.

The Masters Larder has been registered as a new social enterprise. The Masters Larder will once up and running employ and develop disadvantaged young adults in this region. Developing Phoenix Cafe and Bakery has been very difficult. Phoenix Cafe and Bakery was established in the poorest region of Europe in competition with other cafes and small outlets - not the best business model. However, this time to model is different as The Masters Larder is being created to meet demands. Not only that, I am being told, that there are no other operations preparing or producing our products anywhere in Bulgaria. Some forty years ago I worked as a Garde Manger at the Lygon Arms Hotel and The Garden House Hotel in England. This new social enterprise is taking me back to my roots and into my comfort zone.

All the money raised since our project was approved by GlobalGiving has been used to support Phoenix Cafe and Bakery and its personnel. I have looked at potential venues for The Masters Larder, all of them requiring repair or improvements to ensure that it is suitable to be licensed as a charcuterie. I have no other option but to apply for a bank loan. I am very confident that The Masters Larder will succeed, grow and expand. In doing I am sure that it will enable me to employ a larger number of people.

I know that some of you have continued to support my work here in Vidin by regular donations. This has been a tremendous help. I hope that this news and the creation of this new social enterprise inspires you to continue to help me in the future. To all our supporters and donors I ask you to consider donating funds to help me reduce the amount that I have to borrow.

I hope and trust that the contents within this project update raises your spirits for Christmas and the New Year.

From all of us here in Vidin, we wish you festive greetings and a prosperous 2017

Best wishes

Mick

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