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Social enterprise Café incredABLE has officially opened at Newry Leisure Centre, offering visitors freshly prepared food and quality coffee while creating training and employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities and autism.
Café incredABLE, which operates under the motto "incredible food, incredABLE people", is now serving up breakfasts, lunches, daily specials and a selection of homemade traybakes and sweet treats. The café is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm, and Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
from left: Amanda Johnston, Head of Business Development Social Enterprise NI;
Andrew Patterson, NMDDC Director Active and Healthy Communities; Wendy
Chambers, Head of Operations incredABLE Care Services; NMDDC Chairperson,
Councillor Philip Campbell; Annabelle Pentland, Fundraising and Engagement
Co-ordinator incredABLE; Nigel Hampton, CEO incredABLE; Conor Haughey,
NMDDC Assistant Director Healthy Living; Samantha McCartney, Head of Catering
Café incredABLE; Kerri McConnell, NMDDC Head Indoor Leisure; Mairead
McAlinden, Chairperson incredABLE Board and Alan Turtle, Deputy Chairperson
incredABLE Board.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson Councillor Philip Campbell said it was fantastic to see Café incredABLE opening within Newry Leisure Centre. "This partnership embodies what our district stands for: inclusion, opportunity and connection. Café incredABLE has long been a beacon of social enterprise and care and this new eatery adds to the vibrancy of the leisure centre while providing opportunities that truly make a difference in people's lives," he said.
Nigel Hampton, CEO of incredABLE, said they were thrilled to open their fourth social enterprise café in Newry, expanding their commitment to creating inclusive spaces and meaningful opportunities. "For over 20 years, we've supported children and adults with a learning disability from the greater Newry area through short breaks and respite services. This café marks an exciting new chapter in that journey, and we look forward to it becoming a vibrant, welcoming space where everyone feels they belong," he said.
Samantha McCartney, Head of Catering Operations, said every time they open a new outlet they're not just expanding a business but expanding opportunities for individuals of all abilities to feel valued and part of something bigger. "Behind every plate served and every coffee poured is a person gaining confidence, skills and a sense of pride," she said.
The café's presence at Newry Leisure Centre reflects the Council's wider vision for inclusion, empowerment and community engagement across the district, with every purchase made directly supporting training and employment for people of all abilities while helping to build confidence, independence and lifelong skills.
