THE INTRODUCTION of labour-saving devices into British kitchens since the Second World War has revolutionised domestic and social life for everyone in the last 70 years.

Automatic washing machines and fridges have become standard in every kitchen but other smaller appliances, such as electric kettles and toasters, are also now indispensable.

One company producing these kitchen accessories was Kenwood, of Havant, whose name became synonymous with the sturdy multi-purpose Chef mixer with attachments, still found in many homes today.

Now the history of the brand and its factory is to be celebrated, thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £55,000, which has been awarded to Havant’s The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre.

The project will tell the story of Kenwood, which was founded by Kenneth Wood in 1947 in Woking and moved to Havant in 1962. Around 700 people were employed at the factory at the time and Kenwood’s presence in the town put Havant on the national map as a centre of quality manufacturing.

The Kenwood Chef, which was re-designed in Havant by Kenneth Grange, has played a major role in British social history, contributing to the transformation of the nation’s post-war domestic life through the production of labour saving devices that helped begin to free women from their traditional roles.

While manufacturing transferred to China in the 1990s, the company’s headquarters remains in New Lane in Havant, and has provided both employment and social opportunities for staff over many years.

The grant will fund the creation of a documentary film featuring interviews with former and current Kenwood workers and tracing the development of the company over six decades.

The film will feature as part of a temporary exhibition in The Spring’s mezzanine, to run from April next year. It will also be part of a new inter-active Kenwood-themed exhibit in the museum’s existing 1950s-60s kitchen and a book featuring the memories of all contributors will be created.

Director of The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre Sophie Fullerlove said: “We are excited to be given the opportunity to celebrate Havant’s role in a pioneering brand and are grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for backing the project. We will be holding a 1960s-themed day in September to celebrate Kenwood’s arrival in Havant and we hope as many former and current employees as possible will attend.”

Managing director of Kenwood Mark Welch said: “We are delighted The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre has been awarded this grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

“The project will highlight the role Kenwood has played in the local community for more than 60 years and enable both current and former workers to record their experiences of working for the company.”

The project will be launched at The Spring’s free Mixing ‘n’ Twisting 1960s day on September 29.