Hoshizaki Invests in Community by Supporting The Canvas Café Collective

Hoshizaki UK is proud to share that they have helped kickstart a new community-focussed initiative called The Canvas Café Collective.

Founded by Ruth Rogers and created after four months of research with community café owners, The Canvas Cafe Collective aims to recognise and strengthen the vital roles that cafes play in helping neighbourhoods thrive, and vulnerable communities feel a sense of belonging. The initiative evolved after The Canvas in Shoreditch – a much-loved East London café, run by Ruth and known for bringing people together – was forced to close its doors in 2022. Rather than being discouraged, the closure sparked a new idea that the Canvas could become a template concept that was recreated across existing businesses already acting as community hubs.

The co-design phase of the Collective brought together eight venues across the UK with the shared goal of creating welcoming spaces which support mental health, reduce loneliness, and strengthening local communities:

Community Jam (Bristol)

INFUSE Tea Bar (Coleraine, Northern Ireland)

Kiju Coffee House (London)

Quarry Café & Fridge CIC (East Grinstead)

Roundabout Café (Southampton)

Sibling Café (Cardiff)

TAG Drinks (London)

WIRED Coffee & Cake (Honley, West Yorkshire)

Ruth Rogers, founder of The Canvas and the Canvas Café Collective, is excited the initiative is up-and-running:

“Losing The Canvas was heartbreaking. It felt like we’d lost something really special. But over the last four years I’ve come to realise that the spirit of The Canvas never disappeared. It’s alive in community cafes all over the country, quietly holding their communities together every day. This isn’t about recreating The Canvas. It’s about recognising, celebrating, and supporting the incredible places that already exist. Community cafes are vital social spaces, and I want to see one in every neighbourhood.”

Simon Frost, Country Director Hoshizaki UK, first heard about Ruth’s mission when they met at an exhibition that The Canvas and Hoshizaki were both attending, and immediately knew it was something Hoshizaki wanted to get involved in:

“Ruth’s goal to amplify community cafes’ impact, and champion the vital role they play in local areas is absolutely essential. In the modern world, it’s very easy to become isolated. Having these hubs where people can go to foster real connections is the antidote.

Hoshizaki is committed to putting action behind our policies, so it’s been fantastic to work with an initiative which aligns with our values to well. We look forward to continuing to work alongside Ruth and the Collective as the project evolves.”

For more information on Hoshizaki, please visit www.hoshizaki.com