A post from November 2013 in Homebaked’s early trading days, looking back at the years of doubt and destruction in Anfield and the gradual recovery Homebaked has been such a significant part of. Contains some film, at the end, of how Anfield was in 2005, including now long gone streets, seen from the top of Liverpool FC’s ground.

Eight years ago we were working with the people of Anfield and our friends from Urbed on possible futures for Anfield. Some of this involved us filming and photographing everywhere as it was then.

Including getting up on top of the Kop.

And photographing Mitchell’s Bakery. Long before Homebaked was dreamed of.

In looking for this Homebaked photograph a couple of weeks ago, I found lots of others from back in 2005. And I thought people might like to see some of them.

At this time Liverpool FC have definitely decided to leave their existing ground and build a new one as part of a regenerated Stanley Park. The team are doing well under their new Spanish manager, Rafa Benitez. And though we hardly dare dream it up on the roof there, they are about to win the European Cup, for the fifth time.

In the years that follow, new owners, prevarication about the ground move and further blighting of the neighbourhood will follow. But this is how it all looks in April 2005.

The ‘move-or-stay’ years have already hurt streets close to the ground.

Together with the then Government’s ‘Neighbourhood Renewal Initiative’

We walk around the neighbourhood with groups of residents. Starting in St Domingo Vale. In some streets that have gone or radically changed now. Photographing and filming as we go.

Sarah on Oakfield Road, April 2005.

Everyone gathers in The Sandon.

And talk with Urbed about possible futures.

While outside the streets wait.

Years pass, things none of us expected then happen and the streets change.

And like I said last time we were around here, whether you like the way it ended up being done or not, the future is now arriving.

New houses are here, more are on their way.

And Homebaked, the community bakery, is part of this future.

And it’s open now.

So call in.

In fact, call in any day (except Sunday). Brick by brick, loaf by loaf, Anfield is rising up now.

And here, to finish, a couple of minutes of film from 2005. How Anfield was then, and the indomitable spirit of the place, expressed through resident Margaret Fath of Rockfield Road.