Market analysis of the UK’s consumer retail social enterprises

Social Enterprise UK with the support of eBay have conducted a market analysis of UK social enterprises that sell retail products to consumers.

This analysis explores the size and growth potential of this sector, its social and environmental impact and barriers to growth.

It found that consumer retail social enterprises are thriving, ready to meet an increased demand from shoppers to buy ethically.

Around 360 new social enterprises selling retail products to consumers are being set up each month and in total over a third of all social enterprises work in this space numbering between 36,000 - 43,000.

Fredericks Foundation Gourmet Food and Wine Tasting Challenge

The second annual Gourmet Challenge took place at the new premises of ‘Dans le Noir’ located in St Johns Street in the City of London, https://london.danslenoir.com/. All of us at Fredericks Foundation would like to congratulate and thank all the participants and especially the management and staff at Dans le Noir, who provided their amazing facilities and expertise.

There were 10 teams of four, competing to identify 6 wines and six dishes. To get maximum points the team had to identify the wine colour, grape and the country of origin and for the delicious food you had to identify what it was and what the principal two ingredients were. This was much harder than you might imagine, especially as this all took place in total darkness.

The wines were delivered in complete darkness by Fabio and his two assistants all of whom are blind. The event was scheduled to run from 6 – 8 pm however Dans le Noir offered rather generous portions so by the time the 6 wines were delivered the room was rather animated, singing had broken out and everyone seemed to have forgotten the arrangements they had made for after the event.

The lights were turned back on at 9:15 and revealed the answers. Following this we had a short Charity auction which galvanised the attendees. Bidding was fast and competitive starting with a coffee drip system and bags of coffee that went for £150 to a penthouse holiday flat for a long weekend in Lynmouth which raised £1800.

The winning team was from the Bloom Coffee Academy. Whether their coffee tasting expertise helped or if it was a favourite wine that they correctly identified or the ability to write legibly in the dark -they were the deserved winners.

We hope to repeat this event next year and the £ 6000 that was raised will help unlock further funding from matched funders such as The Big Give.

Please keep a look out on our website for news of other forthcoming events.

Are you up for a local London Challenge?

London 10 Peaks Challenge

Discover 10 of London’s often hidden peaks on this new marathon distance walking challenge.

See a different side of London and journey through 42 Km of beautiful woodland, nature reserves and quieter spaces, with unexpected views and chance encounters with local wildlife. This is a distance challenge on your doorstep.

1 day, Challenging.

 Available dates: 19th March 2022 and 29th October 2022.