If heaven did bars...

I promised in the last blog that I'd say something about progress made with the bar buying side of things. Well, by progress I don't exactly mean it's anywhere nearer happening in Cardiff, but I have discovered and been thoroughly inspired by a situation that is EXACTLY what I'm talking about!

Kahaila is a trust set up by Rev. Paul 'Undies' Unsworth, a Baptist minister currently residing in London who has a very VERY familiar sounding vision. A few years back on one fine Sunday morning he happened to be on Brick Lane in the Shoreditch area of the city, along with the other 20,000 people who are there every Sunday morning to sample the delights of the  MAHOOOOOSIVE open air market. As if the Angel Gabriel had just planted eyes him squarely between the eyes with a very well aimed rock from heaven, he suddenly had a revelation. This is where all the 20s and 30s folk are on a Sunday morning, not in church, so why don't we bring God to them!! From that moment on the vision began to take shape - a cafe on Brick Lane - quirky, alternative, high quality - that will act as a place of blessing for the punters on Brick Lane but also the home of a faith community that will worship and minister there. Since the initial revelation Undies and his team have raised over £150,000, bought a clothes shop in the heart of Brick Lane to convert and are currently a few months away from opening.

Wowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowow!!!!! IT CAN WORK!!!!



Paul and the team in the yet-to-be-furnished cafe



Paul has sent me their business plan and vision statement and it's a great blueprint to follow, so with renewed vigour and fresh inspiration I am determined to get a business plan done of my own. I've been looking around at bars all over the UK for quirky angles that will attract the young adults we want to serve, and I have also been researching areas of Cardiff that have a kind of Bohemian atmosphere in which to look for propertes (Pontcanna or Roath, Pontcanna or Roath, Pontcanna or Roath?). It's a long way from the property buying stage yet, but you have to start somewhere!

Just imagine! A bar that reeks of hospitality, generosity and joy instead of stale beer and vomit (well, maybe a bit of beer). A place where people can come and feel at home, safe and enjoy themselves. Where alcohol is there in moderation to add to the experience, not detract from it. Where songs are sung and spirits are lifted. Where a place by the fire (yes, there WILL be a fire place!) is reserved for those who are frozen by the cold night outside. Where works of creativity, passion and beauty are displayed on the walls to touch souls.

If heaven did bars, they'd probably be the best bars in the world...