Where to Spend in London on Black Pound Day

In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement that was triggered by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in the US, protests took place all over the UK demanding change in the way the UK system has treated Black people.

The Black community in the UK made it clear that the UK is no better than the US with regards to the unfair and biased treatment of Black people and in particular young Black men. Unfortunately this unfairness trickles into Black-owned businesses and they need our support more than ever.

With that, Black Pound Day was founded by Swiss (a former member of the So Solid Crew) in an effort to encourage people to invest and support the growth of the Black economy. On the day, you‘re encouraged to replace your usual purchases with purchases from a Black-owned business.

When is Black Pound Day?

The first Black Pound Day launched on Saturday, 27th June 2020. The response on social media was outstanding and it was great to see people coming together to support Black businesses.

Due to the success of the first one, Black Pound Day takes place on the first Saturday of every month.

So… if you find yourself in London on the first weekend of the month, here’s a list of great places you can visit and support on Black Pound Day. Or actually… any day!

Black-Owned Food and Drink businesses

Chuku’s

Located in North London is the world’s first Nigerian tapas restaurant, Chuku’s. Founded by a Nigerian brother and sister duo, Chuku’s restaurant has all the flavours of Nigeria with an interesting twist.

Chuku have created the ‘Chop, Chat, Chill’ culture at their restaurant. The phrase ‘chopping food’ is a term frequently used by Nigerians, which means eating and enjoying food. The ‘Chop’ represents you enjoying their variety of their dishes. The ‘Chat’, you having great company. Lastly, ‘The Chill’ is from the environment created in the restaurant allows you to chill out and relax after a greatly filling meal.

Home of the chop, chat and chill, it’s the ideal place to eat as their tapas-style dishes are created to encourage socialising and sharing. It’s great if you’re someone like me who likes to try several different things on the menu.

£ | Tottenham | Chuku’s Website

Uncle John’s Bakery

The UK’s first and favourite Ghanaian bakery shares the great bakes of Ghana with the local community and beyond. The family-owned bakery opened in Tottenham in 1995 by Uncle John himself along with his wife.

I’d recommend that you try the Sweet bread. It’s great for a savoury full English breakfast or a sweet French toast.

They also sell all your favourite African snacks from meat pies to Ghanaian doughnuts – also known as puff puff. The best part of Uncle John’s Bakery is that after all these years, it still has the family and community feel it started out with.

££ | Tottenham | Uncle John’s Bakery Website

Dark Sugars Chocolate Shop

Located on Brick Lane, Dark Sugars brings the tastes and stories of cocoa and chocolate from Ghana to London. Founded by a lady called Nyanga, Dark Sugars offers an array of luscious, melt-in-your-mouth truffles and chocolates.

In the summer you can enjoy a great range of ice cream flavours, and in the winter, Dark Sugars is home to a great range of hot chocolate flavours.

As their truffles and chocolates are available to enjoy all year round, stop by and make sure to try their cardamom and orange truffle. If you’re a little adventurous like me, the chilli truffle is definitely for you.

££ | Brick Lane | Dark Sugars Website

ISO Sushi Wok and Grill

Founded by internet and comedy sensation Stevo The Madman, ISO Sushi serves authentic Japanese cuisine.

I personally prefer vegetarian sushi if I’ll have sushi at all, but at ISO Sushi they have a range of different sushi on offer. They also have a great grilled and work menu for those looking for something more comforting to eat, like their King Prawn Yakisoba – a king prawn and noodle stir fry.

And for all those Ramen lovers, they’ve got a great selection to choose from.

£ | Isleworth | Chingford | ISO Sushi Website

Saint Aymes Cafe

As one of London’s most Instagrammable cafes and home to the unicorn latte, Saint Aymes is perfect for an Instagrammable Black Pound Day.

The pink paradise often sees your favourite London-based content creators visiting for afternoon tea, a slice of their rainbow cake and of course, to take photos with their floral walls.

I would recommend the Marie Antoniette milkshake, which is part of their enchanting menu that includes edible 24ct gold.

££ | St. George’s Fields | Saint Aymes Cafe Website

Duo

Duo is a stunning restaurant and nightclub in the heart of Camden.

One of my favourite events hosted at Duo on Saturdays is Pancakes and Prosecco. Unlimited pancakes, unlimited Prosecco, cheesy karaoke and … I’m not one to enjoy late nights, so I love that Duo have great events that take place during the day. They also do a Mean Girls themed afternoon tea, which I’d say is ‘so fetch!’. Lol…

Whether you are looking for Instagrammable food and drinks, a cute location for photos, a great day out or somewhere to party the night away, Duo is for you.

££ | Camden Town | Duo Website

Beauty

Golden Touch Hair and Beauty

Golden Touch Hair and Beauty is a family-run business that specialises in providing hair and beauty products that cater to African and Caribbean hair. All your hair needs can be found here. Find all your favourite brands from Shea Moisture to Dark and Lovely filling the shelves.

I love shopping for hair products and I definitely plan my next stock up to be at Golden Touch Hair and Beauty.

£ | Forest Gate

Glam by Mimi

Self-care is so important and sometimes we just want to be pampered. Glam by Mimi offers a range of services that will have you feeling good on the inside and looking great on the outside.

Based in Rotherhithe, Glam by Mimi offers manicures, eyelash extensions, facials, waxes, wigs and weaves and much more.

£ | Rotherhithe | Glam by Mimi Website

Hair Lounge

Located on the well-known Portobello Road, Hair Lounge offers first-class service for Afro hair. Their hair treatments range, from a simple wash, cut and blow-dry to braids and bridal hairstyling.

Charlotte Mensah, the founder of Hair Lounge is an award-winning hairstylist who sells a wide range of haircare products for Afro, mixed and curly hair. She believes that Afro hair needs to be nurtured and cared for properly. This led her to create Charlotte Mensah Manketti Oil, which can be purchased from Hair Lounge.

The founder of the salon also offers educational workshops in Ghana to enable young individuals to better themselves and their craft.

If you’re in need of a new weave, keratin treatment or you just want to have your hair nurtured and nourished, head to Hair Lounge and the team will ensure that you and your hair are well looked after.

£££ | Portobello | Hair Lounge Website

Culture

Round Table Books

Located in the heart of Brixton, Round Table Books, a bookstore that sells inclusive children’s books.

After learning that only one percent of children’s books have a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnicity, founders Aimee Felone and David Stevens found it necessary to create a space that offers representation for children.

Following the success of being a pop-up store in 2018, they have gone on to be a permanent fixture in Brixton. If you’re in the UK you can also order from them online.

Being a parent of a Black child myself, it’s great to see that she’ll have the opportunity to read books with characters that represent her, which I wasn’t able to do growing up.

£ | Brixton | Round Table Books Website

The Black economy thriving creates opportunity and inspiration for the Black community. Now is the time to support the growth of the Black economy and to make changes globally.

Black Pound Day is an opportunity for everyone to support Black businesses. Whether you’re taking a trip to London and are looking for somewhere to eat or you want to support the movement from abroad.

You can also support Black businesses by sharing their content with your friends and family, joining their mailing lists and engaging with them online.

Let’s make ‘spending Black’ part of our normal and not just for one special Saturday of the month. Find out more about Black Pound Day around the UK.

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