Autumn Newsletter 2022: New team members, Events and VAT.
Hello again, friends old and new
It's been a little while since we last had an update of what's been going on with us all here at the launderette, so here is our long overdue newsletter.
So much has happened for us in the last year, as we’re sure has happened to you all also. As our community adapts to a new normal, the laundrette has been returning to the multi-use, accessible social space that was originally intended. Alongside this, our events have started up again. The team has grown by a whole four new members taking us to a healthy nine people always on hand to help you all out! There's also been lots of work behind the scenes with policies and process, and an important business milestone was reached, becoming VAT registered.
New Faces
Firstly, after a detailed recruitment process, we have four new team members join us! They each bring something special to the team, and allow us to expand in new and exciting ways.
Tim lives locally and is a volunteer organiser of groups at Break Road Library. He’s passionate about books and boardgames and has already helped us get our monthly board game night at the launderette off the ground. Join us the 2nd Friday of the month 7-9pm, it's free and everyone's welcome!
JJ lives locally and her daughter attends a local primary school. She brings loads of energy to the team and is already an absolute wiz on the iron! She also just passed her driving test, Well done JJ!
Kat is our resident metalhead and she has plans in the making for some music quizzes at the launderette starting with Rock and Roll Bingo!
Emily is our fourth and final new team member bringing a passion for sustainability and the environment. She has already helped to coordinate with HomeGrowns community gardeners to come and spruce up the planters outside the launderette!
Behind the washers
Kittys Laundrette had now been open for three years and had grown each year. With more washes, staff and community events than every last year. As we grow, which is all thanks to you - our wonderful customers - we do have to contend with the fact that we are trading at a level which is now subject to VAT. As a result we will have to add 20% to all our services which will go straight to the government as tax.
Bryn and Grace, two of our longest serving members of staff, have been working hard figuring out how to submit VAT returns and with the support of our accountants, Adding Value, reviewing our prices so Kittys Laundrette can be a sustainable community business and fairly compensated for its work going forward. Full information on our new pricing structure will be shared in October.
Events
Over the last year we have hosted some fantastic events in the launderette and we look forward to continuing to host many more and welcome ideas and collaborations for these from everyone in our community.
We're very excited to have started our Reuse, Reduce, Recycle events and activity programme. The project is in partnership with Merseyside Recycling and Waste and will involve a variety of different activities and events to share the conversation around the environmental impact of clothing and textile waste.
Make sure you head to our website for all the exciting events we have on, and to see what great things are upcoming - https://kittyslaunderette.org.uk/events
Below Anthony and Kat explain the great clothes swap event
Our first event was a clothes swap that took place on the 24th September at the Homebaked CLT Market which is at the Isla of Gladstone. Check out our socials for more information.
Our Film Friday's events are also making a return this month. 'Princess Mononoke' will be screened on 30th September. Follow the link below to find out more and book your tickets on eventbrite.
There are also some exciting textile craft and upcycling workshops going to be happening very soon so keep a lookout on our socials for more information !
As always if you have any questions about any of the events or have an idea for textile waste workshops please don't hesitate to send an email toCreative@kittyslaunderette.org.uk.