Waiting patiently…

Image: Tomylees

We’ve been receiving lots of emails from local residents asking when the Waiting Room will reopen and what the plan is for 2015. So we thought now would be a good time for a little update. Read more

Space for risk – time for change

The Waiting Room first opened it’s doors in August 2013 and with your support it has continued to grow ever since. Over the last 18 months we’ve built on the work of our neighbours and successfully developed a unrivalled social space packed with a unique creative energy and opportunity.

New deep rooted relationships and a genuine sense of community have been built around what would otherwise be a boarded up, unloved catalyst for blight working against efforts to ‘regenerate’ the St Botolph’s Quarter in an extremely difficult economic climate.

In January 2015 the Waiting Room will close for a period of 4 weeks to allow us time to review and rejuvenate the space while renegotiating our lease and planning for the year ahead.

Taking time to consolidate and build on existing partnerships and by talking to you our users, after 1st February 2015 we hope to launch an all new improved programme of activity full of fresh opportunities, surprises and room for the all important creative risk.

Join us for a week of festive shindiggery and socialising in the build up to Christmas with Fish Friday, a night of Music with The Dallys, a Festive Christmas Roast and the much loved Story Time with Gun Powder Gertie.

Note: Our call for applications to host events has now closed. There will be a small number of prearranged regular events that will continue to operate throughout January 2015. Please consult our calendar for specific event information and opening times.

Flying the nest

In October 2013, I came down and asked about voluntary bar shifts here at the Waiting Room to be asked “do I want a shift Saturday?” I replied “yes” and enquired to the dress code, to which Lee Barker responded “clothes”.

Immediately I knew that I would fit in here but little did I know that it was the start of such a great adventure.

From one night a week bar shifts, to assisting Charlie Stocker front of house, to running the Coffeehouse and then diverging into vegan food, it has been quite a journey.

Along the way I seen the project grow organically: not always the tall tree that was envisaged but one of complex branches and diverse wildlife. I have watched new seedlings grow under the protective canopy.

Like all fledglings, all the new businesses have to learn to spread their wings. Some have the confidence to soar to new ventures; others like me need a little nudge. Truly though, I have outgrown the nest and need to venture forward and test my wings.

So as from Christmas ‘Bobbys’ will no longer be at the Waiting Room. I am unsure yet where I shall build my new nest but am excited about the prospect with ideas buzzing through my head and keeping me awake at night.

I would like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout the last year and welcomed me into the family of The Waiting Room, and like any good daughter I promise to continue to come back and support the project and all the new little fledglings which no doubt enjoy their opportunities to flourish and have as much fun as I have.

Love you all

Another Resident Chef moves onwards and upwards…

We’re proud to announce that, as of this week, Simon Collins aka Tatty Bojangles and the all new Tatty Burger Co. will be leaving The Waiting Room after being incubated as a resident Chef since June 2013.

The Waiting Room has been set up as a space to support local talent like Simon to try their hand at running their own enterprise, learn in a peer-to-peer environment and develop their creative practice.

Simon explained “Working at the waiting room is more than a job, it’s a family that welcome you in with open arms. You will learn how to promote yourself and your business and it’s a chance to put your products or service in front of an audience. I have come such a long way in a very short period here, and I can’t thank them enough.”

He continued “I urge anyone who is passionate about starting a business to talk to guys at the Waiting Room, but be prepared to put in the work, not just for your self but for the people who have been kind enough to help you. I think that is what I love most about the waiting room, everybody helps each other for either no immediate monetary reward or very little, but there are so many other ways to repay, through swapping of products, services, ideas, promotion. Progression and the greater good really is the goal at the waiting room, something councils and governments alike would do well to emulate…”

Simon leaves us to join the team at the all new 3 Storey Public House called Three Wise Monkeys which is set to open its doors before the end of the year in the old Sky Rooms building on the High Street.

Many Resident Chefs come to us at the Waiting Room as very accomplished innovative cooks but our unique open kitchen and community led set up throws them in the deep end and provides direct contact to customers with access to immediate feedback. If your food or service isn’t up to scratch you soon know about it!

We pride ourselves in providing residents with the opportunity to understand all aspects of running a successful restaurant – you can be the best cook in the world but if you don’t market yourself properly, deliver perfect service, tight finances, limited wastage and the right vibe you simply wont succeed. You need it all and we aim to help our residents take a step closer to becoming the full package.

We’ll be making an announcement shortly about whats next for the Waiting Room on Friday nights. We hope you join us in wishing Simon every success in the future with his new team.

Ale Fest: Beer & Cider List

To celebrate our 1st birthday we are pleased to announced a Mini Bank Holiday Ale Festival with support of Colchester and North East Essex Camra. Starting with our regular food on Friday with Tatty Bojangles 5pm - 11pm, then Saturday all day from 12noon - 11pm through to Grand Finale, The St Botolphs BIG Sunday running 12noon - 12midnight.

Below is full list of Ales that and Ciders we’ll be serving over the weekend, along with some local wines and juices.

Read more