A tasty way to support a good cause

Hello everyone! Welcome To The Local Slice – Monthly Pop-Up Café

Spreading Happiness through Cake

The Local Slice is more than just a café-style event - it’s a cosy, welcoming space where neighbours and friends come together over delicious homemade cakes and comforting drinks.

Held at The Little Retreat, Lea Methodist Church, we offer tasty treats, refreshing hot and cold drinks, and plenty of smiles - all while raising funds for the "Ho Ho Grotto' an event close to our hearts. Whether you’re here for a slice, a chat, or simply to enjoy the company, you’re part of a caring community, growing stronger one cup at a time.

Ho Ho Grotto

Every drink you buy helps fund the free Ho Ho Grotto where kids meet Santa and get a special gift!

Salvation Army

Bring a non-perishable food item to The Local Slice and help fill the Salvation Army Food Bank boxes.

Make a difference

Your cuppa can make a real difference — come for the cake, stay for the cause!

Community

Join us at The Little Retreat, Lea Methodist Church — where cake, kindness, and community come together.

Father Christmas

Step into Santa’s magical grotto, where you can meet Father Christmas himself.

The Salvation Army Band

Enjoy traditional Christmas music and carols to set the festive mood.

Facepainting

Transform into a reindeer, elf, snowman, or anything in between.

Making Christmas magical for everyone

The Ho Ho Grotto is a free community Christmas event created to bring festive joy to children and families in Gainsborough. Our aim is to make sure no child misses out on the magic of Christmas, no matter their circumstances. With Santa’s Grotto, festive activities, live entertainment, and plenty of seasonal treats, the day is designed to create lasting memories for the whole family. Every child who visits Santa will receive a selection box and a Christmas Eve box, while families are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation for the Gainsborough Salvation Army Food Bank. It’s all about coming together as a community to spread kindness, share joy, and make Christmas truly magical for everyone. Thanks to your support, every drink you buy at The Local Slice helps fund the Ho Ho Grotto, making this special day possible for local children.

Together, we are making Christmas magical for everyone.

In 2025, thanks to the incredible support of local businesses, the community, and The Local Slice pop-up cafe, we were able to welcome 186 children to see Santa completely free of charge, each leaving with gifts and smiles.

This gallery shows just some of the magical moments from our last Ho Ho Grotto and the amazing impact made possible through your kindness and support.

Every drink you buy at The Local Slice helps fund the Ho Ho Grotto, turning cakes and cuppas into something truly special for local families.

Next Ho Ho Grotto Event

Sunday 13th December 2026
The Riverside Room, Bridge Street, Gainsborough

All Ho Ho Grotto 2025

Give a Little, Help a Lot

At The Local Slice, we’re committed to supporting our community beyond just raising funds. That’s why we’re proud to collect donations of non-perishable food for the Gainsborough Salvation Army Food Bank, which helps local families facing difficult times put meals on the table.

A donation box will be available right at the little retreat café, making it easy for you to contribute when you come for your slice and cuppa. Every item you bring, no matter how small, adds up to make a big difference for families in need.

Here are some of the most-needed essentials to help fill the shelves: UHT Milk · Weetabix · Tinned Meat · Tuna · Tomatoes · Soup · Baked Beans

Your generosity helps ensure that no one in our community goes hungry. Together, we can offer hope and support to those who need it most.

Together, let’s make a real difference - one donation at a time

A Taste of What’s to Come

Gooey Brookie Pie

Half brownie, half cookie, all gooey, all delicious.

Eton Mess Blondie

All the fruity, fluffy fun of Eton Mess, baked into a blondie.

Solero Blondies

Zesty passionfruit meets creamy white chocolate bliss.

Rocky Road Brownies

The ultimate mash-up of gooey brownie and rocky road goodness.

Carrot Cake Blondie

A deliciously rich blondie with all the goodness of carrot cake.

Cornflake Tart Blondie

Old-school flavour meets modern bake — pure comfort.

Kinder Bueno White Brownie

The perfect treat for white chocolate lovers with a nutty twist.

Millionaires shortbread

Buttery shortbread topped with gooey caramel and a rich chocolate crown.

Lemon Loaf

Sweet and tart — a classic treat that never goes out of style.

Giving back to the community

with generous support from local businesses who make it possible.

Everyone is welcome to join us for homemade cakes, cuppa’s and community chatter...

Next Monthly Pop-Up Café is on 31st May 2026

Sunday
2pm to 4pm

Think pop-up café and a mini craft fair to kickstart your festive shopping!

The Little Retreat, Lea Methodist Church, Lea Park, DN21 5HZ.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Brewing
Whether it’s cake talk or community ideas, we’d love to connect - because good things start with a conversation (and maybe a cuppa too).

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