Beyonce has donated £8,000 to popular North London Nigerian restaurant Chuku’s as part of a huge giveaway to small businesses.
The megastar’s BeyGood Foundation pledged to donate $1 million (£806,000) to ‘celebrate people, communities, and small businesses impacted by economic inequities worldwide’ and Chuku’s was one of ten winners to receive a grant this month.
Beyonce recently sold out five days at Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium, just up the road from the South Tottenham restaurant.
Chuku’s started as a successful pop-up in 2016 before founding siblings Emeka and Ifeyinwa Frederick found a permanent home for their tapas-style Nigerian food South Tottenham. The restaurant was one of a class of similar businesses that opened just before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Fredericks have been on a quest to drive more bookings over the last few months, in order to survive their rising costs. Last October the pair announced that Chuku’s needed 600 bookings in six weeks in order to stay open. The restaurant achieved its goal, getting over 800 bookings, but the BeyGood Foundation grant will likely come as a great relief.
![emeya and ireyinwa frederick chukus]()
Emeka Frederick said: ‘This grant couldn’t be more welcome. Chuku’s, like other restaurants that don’t have a financial reserve, has been battered by lockdowns and the cost of living crisis.
‘Every day, we’re fighting to stay open to make it to our fourth birthday. This money will make that fight a little easier and allow us to continue celebrating Nigerian culture on Tottenham’s High Road for the time being.’
Emeka’s sister Ifeyinwa Frederick said: ‘I still can’t quite believe that Beyoncé has backed our restaurant - it feels a bit surreal. We’d already felt her impact when she was in town and concertgoers chose Chuku’s for their pre-gig meal, but this is a whole other level.’
According to a recent Barclaycard survey, nearly half of Brits are willing to pay more at restaurants that 'look good' on social media! Read more about that here.