Rebirth on the High Street: Kitty's Laundrette Revitalizing Anfield's Commercial District
In the heart of Anfield, a neighbourhood known for its football stadium, a unique laundry service is making waves. Kitty's Laundrette, an environmental and social enterprise, is more than just a place to do laundry—it's a community hub that prioritises equity, collectivism, and social value.
The brainchild of a community-led project, Kitty's Laundrette was inspired by the success of the Home Baked Community Land Trust and the Home Baked Bakery, which reopened a former family-run bakery in Anfield. The laundry service aims to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, challenging conventional business logic and making a positive impact on the community.
In 2019, Anfield was ranked the 10th most deprived neighbourhood in England. Kitty's Laundrette seeks to address this issue by employing twelve people, many of whom are under the age of 30. The laundrette pays all staff the real living wage, currently £12.60 per hour, and encourages young staff members to have agency over the activities and events at the laundrette.
The crowdfunding campaign for Kitty's Laundrette aims to raise £20,000 to support the purchase and integration of a delivery van into its operations. This electric delivery van is expected to help secure more commercial contracts, increasing the laundrette's financial resilience. In addition, solar panels for charging the van are also on the wishlist.
Kitty's Laundrette is described as an "environmental enterprise" and a "social enterprise," with an environmental conscious. It uses biodegradable bags, eco-detergents, and runs a dry-cleaning service free from harsh chemicals. All washer-dryers run on electric from a supplier dealing in 100% renewables.
The laundrette hosts a variety of community events, from creative writing workshops and social history talks to film nights, knitting club, live music, street theatre, dance classes, kids' story time, clothes swap, and board game meetups. It also serves as a hub offering free tea and coffee, conversation, and connections to local services.
The creation of Kitty's Laundrette and the Home Baked Community Land Trust and Bakery were responses to the decline of Anfield and the failures of the Housing Market Renewal Programme. An independent assessment in 2024 found that for every £1 invested in Kitty's Laundrette, it returns £43 in social value. This includes the wellbeing of individuals and communities, encouraging interconnectedness and mutual support, as defined by the UK government.
Examples of successful community-led economic development projects in the UK, similar to Kitty's Laundrette, include the Shropshire Community Projects Supported by UKSPF Funding, Highland Community-Led Local Development Fund Projects, and the Mayday Saxonvale in Frome. These projects demonstrate varied successful community-led development models across urban, rural, and coastal contexts in the UK, engaging local stakeholders in improving economic vitality, social wellbeing, and environmental sustainability.
Together, these examples demonstrate the power of community-led initiatives in driving positive change and creating sustainable local economic benefits. Kitty’s Laundrette stands as a shining example of this movement, proving that with community support and innovative thinking, it's possible to transform neighbourhoods and improve lives.
[1] Shropshire Council (2022). Shrewsbury Moves 10-year strategy. Retrieved from link
[2] Highland Council (2022). Highland Community-Led Local Development Fund. Retrieved from link
[3] Frome Town Council (2022). Mayday Saxonvale. Retrieved from link
[4] Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (2022). Green shipping technology. Retrieved from link
In alignment with the Home Baked Community Land Trust and Bakery, Kitty's Laundrette aims to be a community-led project that promotes sustainable-living, transforming the heart of Anfield into a hub for home-and-garden-inspired lifestyle. The laundrette, an environmental and social enterprise, is not just a place for laundry, but also hosts events, workshops, and activities that encourage interconnectedness and mutual support.
