The social enterprise co-founded by Josh Littlejohn opened the café at 10 Sauchiehall Street last week.

Mr Watson has backed the venture through The Watson Foundation.

Welcoming John to the café, Social Bite co-founder and executive director Josh Littlejohn MBE said: “We couldn’t have done it without you!”

The Watson Foundation has been a significant funder of the work of Social Bite which continues with its admirable mission to end homelessness.

In a prime location, the new coffee shop boasts an impressive menu to whet most appetites including homemade bagels, toasties and artisan baking. Coffee lovers will be treated to organic, fairtrade coffee from renowned roaster Mathew Algie, with all members of the shop’s team undergoing Barista training at the Mathew Algie Coffee School to ensure the perfect blend.

Crucially, the social enterprise café will help Glasgow’s homeless population by offering training and employment opportunities to people in a situation of homelessness and its well known “Pay It Forward” system allows the public to buy a meal or hot drink for someone in need. Social Bite is one of the largest providers of free freshly prepared food to homeless people in the UK

It provides an average of 180,000 items of free food and hot drinks through its network of shops and partners. The new Glasgow outlet will welcome homeless and vulnerable people to access a free hot drink and a meal at various times throughout the day alongside paying customers. 100% of the profits from the café will be reinvested in Social Bite’s mission of ending homelessness.

Josh Littlejohn said: “The support of John Watson and The Watson Foundation has been critical to the work of Social Bite and John has been an invaluable partner to us on our journey. He remains not just one of Scotland’s foremost business voices but a hugely-respected leader in the area of philanthropy

“Crucial to our expansion in recent years has been the financial support we have received from The Watson Foundation and we will always be grateful for this essential contribution.

“We are thrilled to open our new flagship coffee shop in the heart of Glasgow. I really see this venture as the new blueprint for our social enterprise business model – offering the best-in-class food, coffee and environment for our customers to enjoy, whilst also making a massive difference to people in a situation of homelessness in the city. I would encourage all Glaswegians to come and enjoy some great coffee and food for themselves and to Pay-It-Forward for someone in need. We can’t wait to welcome you in.”

John Watson said: “I’m delighted to be helping Social Bite in its vital mission to tackle and end homelessness. Josh and the Social Bite team are a remarkable group of people who time and again put others first. We remain deeply committed to Social Bite and all that it is trying to achieve.”