Meet Cultivate London
In the third of a series looking at quirky Brentford businesses in partnership with BrentfordTW8.com, we interview Adrienne Attorp of Cultivate London.
Who are you?
Cultivate London – a social enterprise urban farm and youth training programme based across multiple derelict sites in west London, including two sites in Brentford. We work with long-term unemployed youth aged 16 – 24 years old to help them gain employment, offering a volunteer training programme as well as paid internship and apprenticeship programmes. Working with these youth we grow a range of organically produced vegetables, herbs and flowers which we sell to customers across London, including at Brentford Market.
The Cultivate London Team at Commerce Road in Brentford
Where is your business in Brentford and how did it get there?
Our first growing site was on Commerce Road in Brentford, where the Brentford Lock West development now stands. ISIS Waterside Regeneration wonderfully took a chance on us when we were first starting out as an organisation and gave us the land to use until the development was built. We have only recently moved that site to the South Acton Estate in Ealing, but will continue to work with Brentford Lock West – we will be managing their new rooftop allotment gardens, a very exciting collaborative project.
We also have a site on Brent Way, behind the Magpie and Crown pub. This land is owned by Ballymore, who, similar to ISIS, have very kindly let us use the site while it is waiting to undergo development, and have been very supportive of our activities.
What brought you to this business?
A desire to help youth reach their full potential, as well as a love of food growing!
Where do you live and why?
Our team are actually spread out across London – from Kentish Town to Brixton, and all over Hounslow and Ealing. But we love working in Brentford – there is such a great community here and we feel very supported by local residents and businesses alike.
What about Brentford helps your business?
The community here has really helped us thrive. We have a fantastic relationship with Brentford Lock West and The Docking Station in particular, and Octink have been major supporters of ours from the start. Quilliams have also been great to us, and we love working with the Brentford High Street Steering Group. We also work with a number of local schools, including Brentford School for Girls, and other local organisations such as St. Paul’s Church and Spark! Too many to name them all!
Cultivate London plant nursery, Commerce Road
How do you like Brentford?
We love it, and really feel part of the community here. Also, the canal is beautiful, and the high street boasts The Magpie and Crown Pub – a real ale gem!
What’s your favourite part?
The Magpie has been our unofficial headquarters for years now. We also all love the canal walk.
How are you involved in the community?
We work directly with local youth, and engage with the greater community whenever we can through events such as open days and training courses. We also sell as much of our produce locally as we can.
How do you see your future?
Global Domination! Ok, maybe just a growing site in every London Borough. Eventually. We would really just like to keep steadily developing as we have been, reaching as many youth as we can, and growing as much local produce as possible.
Would you move away and if so, why?
We would like to stay in Brentford as long as we can! As long as there is land to grow on, we will be here 🙂
Three words describing Brentford?
Community, diverse, rivers
If you think you have a quirky Brentford business and would like to be profiled please email secretary@brentfordchamber.org. We would like to create a portfolio showcasing businesses unique to Brentford, of which we think there are plenty.