ROBERT Welch Designs welcomed chef Simon Boyle and his team from Brigade Bistro into their Chipping Campden shop and studio.

Brigade Bistro is a social enterprise based in Southwark, London, which aims to help homeless individuals develop skills and motivation to find employment in hospitality.

Alice Welch met Simon Boyle and his team of chefs and apprentices in the Chipping Campden Studio Shop.

The Cotswolds building is next door to the 18th Century Silk Mill, where Robert Welch first set up his drawing board and started designing, and where the company is still based.

Simon Boyle, who owns and runs the Brigade Bistro, said: “We all thoroughly enjoyed the trip and especially looking around the Design Studio. Meeting Alice Welch was a special treat and we all found the whole experience very inspirational.”

Ms Welch, managing director at Robert Welch Designs, said: “It was a pleasure to meet Simon and the team from Brigade Bistro and show them around our shop and design studio. We’re proud to support this fantastic project.

“This social enterprise is doing an incredible amount of work and really helping people in need.”