Beyonce, the American singer, has donated £8,000 to a Nigerian restaurant in North London that is on the verge of closing due to rising energy costs.
Chuku’s, which claims to be the world’s first Nigerian tapas restaurant, is run by siblings Emeka and Ifeyinwa Frederik.
They were among the ten recipients of a grant from Beyonce’s Renaissance World Tour foundation, BeyGOOD.
The foundation had pledged to donate a share of $1 million (£806,000) to ten businesses in cities around the world, and the Nigerians were fortunate to be among the top ten.
It opened shortly before the Covid pandemic began in 2020, and the owners claimed that lockdowns and the cost of living crisis had “battered” their business.
Luckily for the siblings, they have now been given an extra boost by Beyonce’s foundation, with the grant awarded during the Black Parade Small Business Impact Luncheon, created by BeyGOOD to ‘celebrate people, communities, and small businesses impacted by economic inequities worldwide’.
Chuku co-founder Emeka said of the win: ‘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.’’ he said
‘’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.’
While his sister Ifeyinwa added: ‘I still can’t quite believe that Beyoncé has backed our restaurant – it feels a bit surreal.
