Tom Cliffe and his team at the Market Square based Café Track has been unveiled as our latest Northampton town centre business heroes.
The cafe has been set up to ensure that autistic people are able to access to employment. This is done by creating opportunities for autistic people to gain work experience and since its opening in January 2019 Café Track has supported 32 people into paid work, and over 75 people into work experience placements.
Although Café Track has been forced to close during the pandemic its social enterprise, TRACK nn Limited, which was first launched in 2018, has continued to support people with autism and to provide training and support services to businesses – to help companies become more aware and accepting of autism in the workplace
A recent report from the National Autistic Society showed just 16% of autistic adults are in full time employment. This is something Tom and his team feel passionately about changing.
Tom’s nominee, who has remained anonymous, wrote: “Tom’s selfless promotion of all independent cafes and businesses in Northampton town centre – not just his own – is reason enough for a nomination. He has an inspirational mindset in seeing past personal gain to try to support other businesses that need footfall as much as his does.
“He is also doing great work getting autistic people into employment, while providing a welcoming atmosphere in the heart of Northampton town centre. There is always excellent service at the cafe and it is one of the places that makes me proud to come from and live in Northampton.“
Do you have a ‘Business Hero’ in mind?
Our Business Heroes will be individuals or teams who, over the lockdown period, have:
Made a real difference to colleagues, family and friends
Been passionate about making the town centre the very best it possibly can be
Been instrumental in making positive changes to the town centre
Given back – to the community, customers and the town centre
Our Heroes must own or be employed by a Northampton town centre BID-levy paying business. Find out more and make a nomination HERE.
