In two years, the Basement Bakehouse Ltd has grown from a residential business to a community space.
Owned and run by Liam Handley and Andrea Smith, all the artisan bakery products, including drinks, of which there is a speciality coffee, are handcrafted and made from scratch.
Moving to Windmill Gardens, Gravesend, was a positive move. Growing a business in a conservation area with an active residential community, the directors worked with the local residents’ association and planning office to ensure they were preserving the very thing that makes the park special.
Liam Handley said: “To date our greatest achievement has centred around the redevelopment of our local park, Windmill Gardens.
“Before we set up our business in the park, the area was underused and often affected by anti-social behaviour.
“We moved a coffee truck into the park and within weeks we noticed a shift in how the park was used. Now we also retail all of our bakery items from the bowls pavilion and the transformation is astounding.
“The space is filled with families, dogs and sports groups and has become a social meeting spot on a Saturday morning. Littering has reduced and in line with council ambitions, more people are using public green spaces.
“As we hope to move our kitchen operations down to the park, following planning permission, we hope this continues to grow and grow for the community.”
