Welcome to Galleries Community Shop & Café

The Galleries Community Shop is built, owned and run by the people of Freshford and Limpley Stoke.

We are welcoming and friendly, and we strive to provide affordable, high quality and sustainable products from local producers. We are also a charity and our profits are reinvested back into the community.

One word sums up our vision: community.

Firstly, as the provider of a local shop and café, run and used by members of our community, and second as the creator of a community hub in which to meet old friends, make new ones and feel a warm sense of belonging.

On top of all that, the business maintains an important goal to give back to community projects which in turn will benefit those same people who have supported us.

The very embodiment of community, cohesion and loyalty.

Did you know?

Galleries is one of the oldest community shops in the country.
There are 824 community businesses in the country, 433 of whom are community shops. We are one of only a very small number of communities with both a community shop AND a community-owned pub, the Hop Pole Inn.
The challenges Galleries face are universal to the sector: competition from supermarket deliveries; staff, energy & food cost inflation; wholesaler pressures and challenges in recruiting new volunteers.
Galleries is responding better than most in offering a wide range of authentic & sustainable products, having an integrated café, offering additional services (post office, prescriptions etc) and being embedded in our local community.
In a recent visit, Plunkett, the rural community business advisor, scored us a very healthy 8-9 out of 10.

Our Values

Community-Focused

A welcoming, inviting, friendly, open and accessible space for all.

Sustainable

Driven by ethical values and putting community benefit first.

Quality

A focus on quality produce alongside affordable basics.

Rural

Mindful of our environment and surrounding natural countryside.

Reviews

      
   Galleries Community Shop & Café
   63 Google reviews 
  Write a review 
  
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Stewart Robertson 
 02/08/2024
 
 
  What a great cafe and shop. I think it's community run and very well I might add. Beautiful food  perfect for lunch and good coffee.
  
 
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   David Lister 
 03/07/2024
 
 
  Nice healthy food and great coffee in beautiful surroundings.
  
 
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   Simon T 
 14/06/2024
 
 
  Great community shop run by volunteers from the local area.  The little cafe in particular is super - great coffee and the food really punches above its weight.
  
 
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   Sian Griffiths 
 11/06/2024
 
 
  This is a very lovely and delicious find. It’s a shop with the most delightful and fresh produce, it’s a cafe with delicious daily specials of sandwiches, salads, cakes, drinks and great coffee. You can sit inside and look at the art or you can sit outside and look at the meadow. It is dog friendly and there is parking. Or make it part of your walking route. It is all staffed by local volunteers who give their time and skills freely. Make sure it’s open before setting off. I’m here because I’m housesitting in Freshford. I could make my own lunch but I’d rather come here.
  
 
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   Rob Schroeder 
 06/03/2024
 
 
  I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Gallery Community Cafe, and I cannot speak highly enough of the exemplary service provided by our server, Mandie. From the moment we were seated until the conclusion of our meal, Mandie went above and beyond to ensure that our dining experience was nothing short of exceptional.

Mandie greeted us with a warm and genuine smile, immediately putting us at ease and setting the tone for the afternoon. Throughout the meal, she demonstrated an impressive knowledge of the menu, offering insightful recommendations and expertly guiding us through the various options available. What truly set Mandie apart, however, was her impeccable attention to detail and unwavering commitment to ensuring our satisfaction. Moreover, Mandie's professionalism was matched only by her warmth and friendliness, creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere that enhanced our dining experience. Her genuine enthusiasm for her work was palpable, and it was evident that she takes great pride in providing each guest with a memorable and enjoyable dining experience.
  
 
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   Helen Walker 
 04/03/2024
 
 
  I am saddened to leave this review.
Stopped by for a drink and thought we may get some food. Were originally going to take away but decided to eat in.We ordered 2 hot chocolates and 2 bacon sandwiches.
We were given 2 cappuccinos,mine was half a cup of froth.
I returned it to be told that i had asked for them.I explained that i was sure i had asked for 2 hot chocolates and even mentioned i was sure i had but maybe i hadnt.
When i returned back to my partner he confirmed that i had in fact asked for hot chocolate.
I did request it to be hot as the cappuccino previously served wasnt,although it had just been half a cup of froth.
The bacon sandwiches arrived.
2 thin slices of brown bread that had lumps of butter squashed on it as it was obviously added hard and contained the bacon.
I tried to remove the excess butter that was softer.
Removed the fat from my bacon (i do accept that bacon has fat on it and removing it is my personal preference)
I bit in to the sandwich and the grease ran down my fingers. It was so greasy.
I put the sandwich back on my plate as needed to wash my hand andeft it.
My partner tried to eat half of his but left the rest as he couldn't chew it properly with his dentures.
We drank our drink and returned our crockery to the till area.We were asked why we didn't say as another sandwich would of been offered.I explained that the grease put me off and it had dripped out of the sandwich and my partner couldnt chew his.
I dont like leaving negative reviews but honestly at £5.95 for a sandwich you expect grease not to be coming out of the sandwich and should be able to chew it.
Without being rude and offensive it was in my opinion disgusting.
However we were given back £10 which was offered and i hope that it was just a bad day for them as other reviews are good.
  
 
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   Andrew 
 18/11/2023
 
 
  Superb ! Dropped by on a walk by there. Superb cakes and a latte that was perfect . Thank You
  
 
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   Carl Nelson 
 22/09/2023
 
 
  My wife and I stopped in for a mid-morning snack after stopping at Avoncliff on a narrowboat.  We had a lovely quiche and the most amazing cheese muffins with our tea.  But the highlight of the visit was the amazing service provided by a very cheerful group of ladies.  This Café is worth going out of the way for…sos much so that we’re planning on stopping in on our way back this weekend.  👍🏼