After highlighting what we can do as customers to support small independent businesses in London, it’s just as important to notice the acts of kindness that the owners have shown in the last few days. Small cafés are giving complementary food to hard-working NHS staff, offering supermarket runs to those who are self-isolating and sharing their professional skills on social media. It’s truly humbling and comforting to know we are in this difficult situation together. Here are 6 small independent businesses doing something that will definitely put a smile on your face.
Brickwood
The Aussie café has been offering a discount to NHS workers on shift for years, but now Brickwood is going that extra mile with caffeine and food entirely for free.
Urban Pantry
The award-winning, always-packed brunch spot in Chiswick is giving back to the community in so many ways. Besides walking to homes and hand-delivering bags of food, regulars can help themselves to free ginger shots while the hard-working NHS staff can order food for free.
Nue Ground
In addition to hopping onto Deliveroo so Clapham can still enjoy Nue Ground’s colourful dishes, the recently-opened café is offering their help to those that are self-isolating. Think a cup of sugar, bread or things from the supermarket – it’s all non-profit and a bit of positivity amidst the current Corona situation.
Bread Ahead Bakery
London’s go-to spot for sugarcoated, fluffy and fantastically-stuffed doughnuts, Bread Ahead Bakery is now running free online baking classes on Instagram live every day at 2pm. The first was dedicated to doughnuts, taking you through the whole process and answering any questions you have. If there’s ever a time to learn a new skill, it’s now.
The Farmer’s Mistress
While still operating with a limited amount of seating and customers, The Farmer’s Mistress is happy to put together an emergency box if you can’t get hold of the essentials. Milk, bread, eggs and meat, it’s again non-profit, up for collection or delivery in the Battersea area.
Brick House Bread
After permanently closing its doors earlier this year, Brick House Bread is back with a heartwarming comeback. Following the request from fans and filling our days with useful knowledge, the founders will be sharing their sourdough secrets on Instagram over the coming months.
As the situation unfolds and each day looks different, please follow these small food businesses on Instagram for the most recent updates.
