A stepping stone for growth

In the heart of Eden at New Bailey, in Salford, you’ll find Spice & Grind – a welcoming independent coffee shop epitomising the spirit of the growing community.

As a local, independent business, Spice & Grind’s journey from a converted horse trailer to anchoring one of the UK’s most sustainable office buildings, showcases our commitment to supporting and nurturing local enterprises.

Our approach to placemaking

Supporting local businesses in absolutely key to building resilient neighbourhoods with empowered communities.

As a placemaker, our aim is to create kinder, better places, responsibly regenerating towns and cities. Rather than dismantling the existing cornerstones, we work with them, investing in cultural and recreational sites to create vibrant places that people from all walks of life can enjoy.

This, in turn, attracts businesses and visitors, stimulating the local economy, increasing civic pride and making places a joy to live and spend time in. This further helps attract investment, creating job opportunities and enhancing the local economy.

Our placemaking philosophy revolves around creating such spaces; spaces that serve the whole community and provide the ideal conditions for independent business to flourish. Eden at New Bailey is a prime example of this approach in action.

Location, location, location

For many small businesses, finding the right location is crucial to their success. We understand this and actively seek to provide fledgling businesses with opportunities to establish themselves in high-potential areas.

New Bailey in Salford blends homes, workspaces, and leisure spaces, integrating with the surrounding community. Standing proud at its centre is Eden – a landmark building with Europe’s largest living wall. Its iconic aesthetic and strategic location, combined with its thoughtfully designed spaces, offered an ideal stepping stone for Salfordian entrepreneur Samantha Seddon – an opportunity we approached her with to take up the lease for the café area in the building.

Sam was inspired to start her coffee company after living in Australia – she wanted to replicate the quality of coffee and style of café she experienced there. Back in the UK, she renovated a horse trailer and began serving coffee on the banks of the River Irwell to those living and working in the area.

Spice & Grind – steps to growth

The café at Eden is a key social amenity that makes the building more than ‘just an office’. opening its door to the public and inviting them into the café, means the broader local community can connect with both Eden and its occupiers.

We recognised that Spice & Grind was the perfect partner for Eden, with Sam sharing our passion for connecting with people and places in a way which supports both wellness and sustainability – pillars central to Eden’s ethos.

Sam’s business has now become part of the fabric of Eden, cementing its place at the heart of the local community.

The transformative power of placemaking

Spice and Grind’s move to Eden underscores the transformative power of our approach to placemaking. The café has become a favourite spot for those living and working in the area to gather, enjoy a cup of coffee, and collaborate with colleagues and friends.

The bustling atmosphere also contributes to the overall vibrancy of Eden, enhancing its appeal as a destination for both residents and visitors.

By giving independent businesses such as Spice & Grind a platform to build and grow, we’re helping communities – and the people they support – flourish and reach their potential. Replicated across the country, this builds vibrant places that people are proud of which is key to successful regeneration.

Samantha Seddon, founder and owner of Spice & Grind said;

A people first approach

When creating new places and spaces, it is easy to focus on the bricks and mortar.

The look and feel of a building or area is crucial in attracting businesses and footfall – get this wrong and a development may not reach its potential.

However it is the people at the heart of these spaces – like Samantha at Spice & Grind – who are the lifeblood of communities. Giving them the chance to thrive is what kinder placemaking is all about.