Tap Social and Missing Bean set to open new bakery and cafe

Tap Social Movement, which runs the Taproom in Botley and The White House in Abingdon Road, and coffee shop Missing Bean, are to open the store at Tap Social’s former brewery in Kennington.

Proof Social Bakehouse opens this weekend, and as with all Tap Social’s work, will offer paid training and employment to people in prison.

READ AGAIN: Tap Social goes from strength to strength six years on

Amy Taylor, co-founder of Tap Social, said: “It’s been loads of fun transforming the brewery into a bakery these past few months, and we’re so happy to have an opportunity to do it with our friends at Missing Bean.

“And importantly, as with all of our work, Proof will offer paid training and employment to prison leavers and people in prison.”

The open plan bakery, at the Sandford Lane Industrial Estate, will offer baked goods including sourdough breads, pastries and doughnuts, in addition to Missing Bean coffee and Tap Social craft beer.

Proof Social Bakehouse is set to open at Tap Social’s former brewery in Kennington. Picture: Tap Social

“We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to join forces with our good friends at Tap Social and open a new bakery” said Missing Bean co-founder Ori Halup.

“We've loved working with independent local bakers over the years, but saw this as a real opportunity to put our own touch on things and be able to offer our cafe customers a better taste of what we’re about, as well as being a part of Tap’s great social work.”

Since founding in 2016, Tap Social has opened its original Taproom in Botley, while taking over The White House in Abingdon Road last May.

Tap Social also has a bar at Banbury’s canalside Lock29, part of the Castle Quay Shopping Centre.

The outside area at The White House. Picture: Tap Social

After witnessing the difficulties people faced when leaving prison, Tap Social’s founders sought to create something which could better support ex-offenders.

Six years on from opening, co-founder Tess Taylor told the Oxford Mail last month: “We set up with that social enterprise intention and being more empowering for people in prison.

“All of us worked in criminal justice, and we saw the lack of support for people coming from prison.

“It’s about creating the empowerment, and I hope people see that when they come to our venues.

“We get such an awesome diverse group of people who come, and in Oxford, there’s not a tonne of independents, which marks us out for people.

“Some places might be more for students or tourists, but we’re aiming to cover that middle ground.”

Proof will be open from 8am to 3pm this weekend, with normal hours of operation then set to be Thursday to Sunday, from 8am to 3pm.

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This story was written by Liam Rice, he joined the team in 2019 as a multimedia reporter.

Liam covers politics, travel and transport. He occasionally covers Oxford United.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Liam.rice@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailLiamRice