What began as a simple idea to upcycle old bathtubs and educate people has evolved into Cambridgeshire’s most dynamic social enterprise, positively impacting over 30,000 lives.
Up The Garden Bath is changing lives, uniting communities, reshaping the retail landscape, and redefining how we think about waste & sustainability.
Up The Garden Bath’s award-winning Unity project continues to defy the UK’s retail decline. It has reached yet another major milestone, and has now generated an impressive £500,000 in sales revenue for local artisans, all while fostering stronger community connections.
In the face of the UK’s struggling retail sector, award winning educational and environmental community project Up The Garden Bath’s innovative community retail project, Unity, has emerged as a shining success.
Located in Queensgate Shopping Centre, Unity has now generated an outstanding £500,000 in revenue for local crafters, artists, makers, and small businesses, proving that ethical, community driven retail can thrive in today’s economic landscape.
Far more than just a shop, Unity has become a vibrant hub for creativity, learning, and connection. It provides independent artisans and entrepreneurs with a much-needed platform to showcase their work while offering shoppers a unique, locally crafted alternative to mass-produced goods. The shop has also strengthened the local economy by reinvesting profits into environmental community projects and providing small businesses with new opportunities for growth.
A standout feature of Unity is its free create-and-craft area, where people of all ages can explore their creativity, learn new skills, and take part in hands-on educational workshops. By offering a space for skill sharing and artistic expression, Unity is fostering social inclusion and wellbeing, bringing together individuals from all walks of life in a welcoming and inspiring environment.
The project is the brainchild of Dave Poulton and Kez Hayes-Palmer, founders of Up The Garden Bath, a Peterborough-based social enterprise dedicated to sustainability, education, and community enrichment. Their vision for Unity was not only to support local makers but also to cultivate a sense of belonging and resilience within the community.
Up The Garden Bath Co-founder Kez Hayes-Palmer said “collaboration is so important and we are stronger if we work together towards a common goal. Retail is struggling at the minute with more and more stores closing. Most small businesses struggle to finance a retail store on their own but together we have created something special that resonates with the public.”
With its ever-growing popularity and undeniable positive impact, Unity is a testament to the power of community collaboration and ethical retail. The success of the project demonstrates that when businesses put people and purpose at their core, they can truly flourish.
