Music Legend, Global Publisher and Local Businesses Come Together To Back Sheffield Social Enterprise Restaurant

27th July 2020

The Sheffield social enterprise and not-for-profit restaurant, Blend Kitchen has announced expansion and their move to a new prime location, despite the hospitality crisis and recently facing permanent closure.

The organisation, which provides hospitality training and paid work experience to vulnerable adults and marginalised groups, is planning to expand after receiving support from Sheffield’s rock ‘n’ roll troubadour Richard Hawley, the global educational publisher Twinkl, and a growing number of local businesses.

The ambitious plans of the successful social enterprise Blend Kitchen faced disaster from a ‘perfect storm’ of Covid 19, economic downturn, reduced funding and the scheduled demolition of its city centre premises

The organisation that creates life changing opportunities for the cities most disenfranchised faced permanent closure, but now it’s work has been recognised and backed by a growing army of local support meaning Blend Kitchen still has ambitious plans to expand, against the grain of the hospitality industry's current crisis.

Thanks to a significant cash injection from online educational publishing house ‘Twinkl’ and the offer of a new prime location at their Sheffield HQ on Ecclesall Road (Sheffield’s most popular foodie strip), the Autumn opening of a new restaurant, events space and hospitality training facility for Blend Kitchen is back on track.

In fact it looks set to be the opening the entire city will be talking about as this week two-time Mercury Prize nominee and Sheffield’s most revered troubadour Richard Hawley, offered his support and joined Blend Kitchen as its Patron. Hawley, whose love and passion of his home community is well documented, was compelled to take up the role of Patron as the project's mission of social good so closely reflected many of his own ideals. He said:

“I can think of no higher honour than to be asked to lend my name as Patron to a place that gives people a sense of worth and value in this world whilst at the same time teaching them skills to secure that worth and value on their own, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all the Blend team the very best of wishes for a brighter future. I look forward to seeing you all very soon, can’t wait....it’ll be something I’ll relish”

Although Twinkl has contributed significantly to the project and the majority of the funding has been secured, the social enterprise needs further critical financial support to transform the empty space. Blend’s Project Manager and fundraiser Justin Rowntree, this week launches an invitation to sponsors and a crowdfunding campaign (www.crowdfunder.co.uk/blend-kitchen-sheffield) email justin@sweetspot.life for sponsorship packages.