Cambridge Community Kitchen

Cambridge Community Kitchen
Cambridge Community Kitchen
AbbreviationCCK
FormationNovember 13, 2020; 5 years ago (2020-11-13)[1]
HeadquartersThe Lockon, 11-12 Fair Street, Cambridge, CB1 1HA
Coordinates52°12′27″N 0°07′46″E / 52.207362°N 0.129446°E / 52.207362; 0.129446
Websitehttps://cckitchen.uk/

Cambridge Community Kitchen (CCK) is a volunteer-run collective that provides free vegan meals several times a week in Cambridge, England.

The group is not a charity, wishing to avoid the Lobbying Act that restricts party-political statements from charities in election seasons and the paperwork required to gain the legal status. Instead, the non-hierarchical organisation views its work as mutual aid.[2] Many, though not all, volunteers view themselves as anarchists and many are activists, including one of the original squatters who had previously been involved with Extinction Rebellion. Another of the founding squatters had previously volunteered at the Calais Refugee Community Kitchen.[3][4][5]

History

The kitchen is based in an old pub, The Hopbine, which closed on Wednesday 20 February 2019.[6] Six months after the pub closing, in July 2020, and with the ongoing COVID pandemic, the site was squatted by a group of 10 to form "The Lockon".[3] Four months after being squatted, on Sunday 15 November 2020,[7] Cambridge Community Kitchen started distributing food to locals.[5] Meals continued to be served, including on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.[8]

In February 2021, Cambridge City Mayor, Cllr Russ McPherson, awarded the organisation with a "Volunteer of Cambridge" certificate, intending to highlight people who supported the city throughout the pandemic. One member said "We're like, 'Thanks for your printed out certificate. We're literally doing your job for you.' [Laughs.] Maybe you could, I don't know, give us some money, at least do the thing of feeding people?".[9] During this period over 100 volunteers worked in "bubbled" teams and altered the service to be "contact free".[10][5]

In August 2022 CCK delivered around 270 meals across the city, two times a week.[11] In 2024 the collective expanded their offer, going from only serving meals on Thursdays and Sundays, to offering eat-in meals on Tuesdays without the option to have food delivered.[12]

In 2025 Cambridge Green Party wrote in support of the project after Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, wrote to Cambridge City Council with the hopes of evicting CCK from The Lockon.[13] Cambridge Council responded saying that they have taken all actions possible and "had been informed that the owner/landlord had taken legal advice in order to initiate proceedings to take back possession of the property".[14]


References

  1. ^ https://www.instagram.com/p/CHidBEBLRoz/?igsh=MWdkaXlreGM0Y2hlNA==
  2. ^ Gillott, Hannah; Olsson, Erik. "Working at the Cambridge Community Kitchen: the town/gown divide 'isn't actually funny'". Varsity Online. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  3. ^ a b Luxon, Debbie (24 August 2020). "We spoke to the squatters making a former Cambridge pub their home". Cambridgeshire Live. Archived from the original on 25 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  4. ^ Hough, Søren (26 August 2022). "Light in a Dark Space: Interview with The Lockon Cambridge Squat". The Commoner. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "Cambridge Community Kitchen: Free Meals for Those in Need". Smiley Movement. 11 October 2021. Archived from the original on 25 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  6. ^ Gwyer, Nicola (6 February 2019). "Beloved Cambridge pub, The Hopbine is closing down soon". Cambridgeshire Live. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  7. ^ https://www.instagram.com/p/CHm3GAkL1UW/?igsh=MTE5N2R4OTJidzVnMQ== This post announces the day of trial delivery, which was posted on Sunday 15th November 2020
  8. ^ Luxon, Debbie (23 December 2020). "Cambs heroes who will be feeding the county this Christmas". Cambridgeshire Live. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  9. ^ Hough, Søren (24 September 2022). "Neighbours are the Best Barricades: Interview with Cambridge Community Kitchen". The Commoner. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  10. ^ Luxon, Debbie (18 February 2021). "Hopbine squat receives award for new community kitchen". Cambridgeshire Live. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  11. ^ Findlay, Cait (13 August 2022). "Cambridge Community Kitchen volunteers say it should be 'a stop-gap'". Cambridgeshire Live. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  12. ^ "Cambridge Community Kitchen".
  13. ^ "Cambridge Community Kitchen Must Be Protected". Cambridge & South Cambridgeshire Green Party. 24 November 2025. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  14. ^ Gardner, Gemma (9 November 2025). "Mayor calls for action over community kitchen set up by 'squatters'". Cambridge Independent. Archived from the original on 9 November 2025. Retrieved 11 August 2026.

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