Pop-up creative cafe opens in Marks Gate

Residents in Marks Gate have marked the opening of a brand new pop-up ‘creative café.’

Locals joined forces with artist Sadia Ur-Rehman to set up the project in Marks Gate Community Centre which has turned a library space into a café and workshop.

Barking and Dagenham Council leader Cllr Darren Rodwell was on hand to open the café while MP for Dagenham and Rainham Jon Cruddas even joined in with a ‘pom-pom’ making session.

The space was previously home to library books and computers, which have now been temporarily moved into the Marks Gate Library – situated within the same building for the duration of the six-month project.

Local artist Sadia, who previously worked with residents on the ‘A Local Dialogue’ project, paid tribute to the volunteers who contributed.

“I was basically given a space and the volunteers have completely transformed it,” she told the Post.

“We had a month to transform the space into the pop-up cafe, gallery and creative workspace.

“Twice a week local residents would join me to support with the project, with volunteers getting involved in many aspects including wallpapering, painting, re-upholstering the second hand furniture and bringing colour to the space.

“I hope the rapport we have created in the community will encourage as many people as possible to come and visit the cafe.”