As MILK gear up to close their Vicky Road location and move to a brand new space on Cathcart Road, we spoke to co-founder Angela Ireland about the change. We also reveal who’s moving into their old space.

By James McAleer | Portrait of Angela by Niall Miller | Other photos by Rhiannon J Davies

MILK, a social enterprise dedicated to supporting women from migrant backgrounds, is about to embark on a new chapter. After seven years as a community stalwart of Victoria Road, they are about to move to 378 Cathcart Road.

Built in partnership with fellow social enterprise Glasgow Trades Collective, MILK’s new hub on Cathcart Road – next door to their pre-existing catering kitchen – boasts fully accessible toilets, baby changing facilities, private meeting rooms, kids play area, and storage. In short, it will be a space designed and purpose-built to fit the needs of the MILK community. With more space and lower overheads, outgoings will be streamlined.

“We have big mixed feelings about leaving our Vicky Road shop. It holds so many great memories for us and we've seen such kindness from our neighbours on the street that we'll be sad to go. There is a real community of support amongst the independent businesses up and down the length of Vicky Road and we'll miss being a part of that.

All that being said, this move makes total sense for us. We have been split between here and Cathcart Road for more than seven years now and the chance to bring the two sides of the MILK project together was too good to miss.”
Angela Ireland, Co-Founder of MILK

The Victoria Road space will close on Friday 15 November. Classes and workshops will restart in the new space on Cathcart Road on Monday 25 November. And keep Tuesday 3 December free: MILK will be hosting an open day celebration and thank you event, with all community members, MILK supporters. Anyone who fancies a nosey is welcome from 10am-2:30pm.

First founded in 2017, MILK first operated as a (much missed) café and community space before making the decision in August 2022, based on consultations with staff and community members, to cease café trading and run full time as a community enterprise.

Since then, MILK has operated a full timetable of services to support women in their community. Peer support groups and community meals build strength and unity through shared experiences. English and IT classes provide vital skills, empower participants, and break down accessibility barriers. They have held workshops on topics including immigration rights, women’s health, and mental wellbeing.

The transition to a community space was not without its challenges. Budgets and staff were stretched by high demand. After so long as a café, locals and regulars took time to get used to MILK’s new direction. This new chapter works to address some of these challenges, and provides a definite break from the much-loved café space. A fond farewell, all told.

You can support MILK’s move through their crowdfunding campaign. Donations will help smooth the transition between venues, safeguard MILK services, and ensure they’re in the best possible position to serve the community from day one in their new home. Rewards for donors range from a T-shirt to a table for four. Find out more and contribute here.

Enter: Cafe Peachy

But they’re not leaving behind an void. MILK’s former home on Victoria Road will soon host Café Peachy. Family-run Peachy from Glasgow restaurant scene veteran Cat McHale, promises good coffee and great food ( truly, what more could you ask for), with pop-ups throughout November in support of Women’s Aid before opening in earnest in December.

Cat McHale, brings over a decade of culinary experience from a number of top Glasgow restaurants and plans to combine her her passion for fostering community with a love for traditional, comforting Scottish cuisine. The cafe menu will include items like: cullen skink with soda bread (£6), tartiflette with sourdough and pickles (£6.50), goats cheese, pistachio, fig jam, honey on toast (£7.50) and ribollita with sourdough (£4.50). She said:

“We want Peachy to feel like a home away from home, a space where people from all walks of life can enjoy comforting food and warm company. The Soutside is somewhere I have spent lots of time when i lived in the area, and it has a fantastic community spirit. I couldn’t be more excited, and terrified (!) to be becoming part of it.”

Café Peachy will be hosting two pop-up events on Saturday 9 November and Sunday 17 November, with all proceeds benefiting Women’s Aid. These events give locals a chance to sample Peachy’s dishes and support a good cause.