Vacant Shops Programme

Unit 8, Queens Parade, Willesden Lane

Punch & Juicy

What’s Your Big Idea?

Punch & Juicy – Davina Roberts

I founded Punch and Juicy Liquid Foods after a seven year period of being homeless. At that time its name was Small and Simple. After becoming a sufferer of Lymphoedema it occured to me that the majority of people with vulnerable backgrounds are susceptible to unhealthy lifestyles due to adverse experiences and situations which lead to an imbalance.

The award-winning social enterprise was launched with support from Brent Homeless User Group to cater for the National ‘Get London Reading’ campaign which took place in Willesden Library. This led to us creating Punch & Juicy. We would not have achieved what we have done without the primary focus of making a change within the community in which we have lived all our lives.

We provide an employability skills referral unit and a healthy alternative liquid and whole food bar selling primarily drinks and a range of healthy whole packaged and chilled foods. We aim to have 30 per cent of our produce sourced locally.

With the fast food industry growing larger by offering cheap food for cheap prices we hope our concept will be a refreshing change to the community. Punch & Juicy will run healthy eating events and workshops at Queens Parade and promote healthy eating to local schools.

From March to May: The Wise Owl Venue

The Wise Owl Venue is hosted by Joanna Steele and Sharon Donovan. This venue will be the events hub of Queens Parade; hosting workshops, talks, music and cinema events. We will be in the information, marketing and programming point for Queens Parade and will also be programming events at the new Library Lab in the former café space in the Willesden Green Library Centre. Joanna and Sharon are both residents of Brent and grew up in the area. We are proud to bring you a new and very exciting venue that will change the face of Willesden Green! 

http://www.thewiseowlvenue.blogspot.com/