Refreshments on the menu at office complex

A café has been dished up at a suite of offices after two local entrepreneurs discussed ways to improve facilities for businesses and workers.

Dominic Goold, managing director of Oldbury-based Goold Estates, and Andy Cleary, managing director of West Midlands-based Tang Food, shared a vision to create a new café serving great food for office workers.

As a result, Tang Café has been launched in Oldbury in a £70,000 investment, with interiors inspired by historic manufacturer Accles and Pollock.

Tang Food has agreed a 10-year lease on the unit within Black Country House, which is owned by Goold Estates. Andy has been in catering for 22 years and clients include those from both the public and private sector. Tang is one of just a few companies that can offer a Starbucks business alliance partnership.

The new eaterie will provide the 300 people that work at the office building with a range of freshly cooked dishes, each made by the onsite chef. It will also provide hospitality services for meetings and events staged by companies based there.

Andy said: “Dominic and I discussed the opportunities to improve facilities for employees and the café was a shared vision. We have similar units in London and Birmingham, which have been a great success, and Dominic wanted to make sure he really looked after the office tenants.

"We believe that, internally, this can help to improve morale, productivity, motivation and keep staff well-fed and happy; externally, this can retain existing clients and attract potential tenants."

Tang Food has been delivering food since 1997 in Birmingham and beyond, and has extensive experience in onsite cafes as an independent contract caterer with a team of dedicated chefs and serving staff.

Andy added: “There are 300 people in the building and we will provide them with a great choice of healthy dishes. The early signs are very encouraging.” A fully trained chef is able to supply dishes to customer orders including vegan, gluten free and street food options. Local suppliers are used for many food items.

Black Country House, in Rounds Green Road, is home to Goold Estates’ head office. It was originally the headquarters of Accles and Pollock, famous for building the world's first all-metal aircraft, the Mayfly. The company moved to the site in 1902, from where it grew to become one of Britain’s foremost tubing manufacturers.

Goold Estates acquired Black Country House in 2008, transforming the building through a £2.4 million refurbishment project, including a new façade and reception area. Occupiers include national audit, tax and advisory firm Crowe.

Pictured above: Steve Mewis, of Goold Estates, Andy Cleary, of Tang Food, and Anthony Williams, of Goold Estates, at the new Tang Cafe at Black Country House.