If you are around Fratton and looking for a friendly place to grab a coffee, pick up some second-hand clothes or get involved in creative crafts, MAKE at Aldingbourne Enterprise is well worth knowing about. Located at 1 Cornwall Rd (PO1 5AA), easily recognisable by the colorful 'My Dog Sighs' mural on its facade, this space acts as a charity shop, café, and art studio. Managed by Sarah Mitas, it is part of the Aldingbourne Trust and works directly to support adults with learning disabilities and autism, helping them build essential life and work skills in a real-world environment.
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The café serves a variety of hot and cold dishes, drinks, and homemade cakes, catering to different dietary requirements with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible and features a small play area for children, as well as space to host Afternoon Tea for larger groups or children's parties. Alongside the food, the charity shop area offers affordable second-hand adult and children's clothing, homeware, books, and toys. There is also an arts studio equipped for sewing projects and craft supplies.
Beyond its retail and food offering, MAKE at Aldingbourne Enterprise functions as a community hub. It participates in the Chatty Cafe Scheme with dedicated Chatter & Natter tables running Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, where locals can sit down for a chat. The general venue opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm (closed on Sundays). Additionally, the space serves as a third-party reporting centre for Hampshire police, providing a safe venue to report hate crimes. With a 4.9/5 rating from over 50 Google reviews, visitors consistently highlight the friendly staff, good coffee, and welcoming atmosphere.
Published Date
30 July 2026
