Throughout 2017 we will be highlighting some local social enterprises that have caught our eye.

First up for 2017– Canvas Coffee

Just turned three and headed up by the dynamic entrepreneur Pravin Isram, Canvas Coffee began life as a pop up in Portsmouth & Southsea railway station. Peddlers of great locally roasted coffee and now firmly established in the city, behind the scenes Canvas, helps those in early recovery from drugs and alcohol addiction. Offering basic Barista courses and volunteer opportunities to build self-esteem and confidence while enhancing skills.

Winner of the Small Social Business award in 2014 (Shaping the Future of Portsmouth) and most recently an Unltd award winner for the Big Venture Challenge 2016  – it has been a pleasure to see the original outlet grow into a sustainable, worthwhile and award winning business.

Here at CSR, we think they serve some of the best coffee in the city in a refreshingly non pretentious way and the cakes are worth tasting too.