Business Watch: Food makes you feel at home

Luton as usual was getting the nation talking again. “It’s scary over there” one person said on Instagram.

I commented on the post by saying "we are doing just fine in Luton!”

I say we are doing just fine because I enjoy the buzzing, multicultural and diversity of Luton.

I still don’t know why he feels scared, maybe he doesn’t feel at home. As they say home is where the heart is. I would like to take inspiration from that saying and say food makes you feel at home. We have businesses, especially black businesses, feeding and making communities in Luton and Bedfordshire settle nicely through food.

According to Luton2040 Economic Profile there are about 8,800 businesses operating in Luton, from start-ups to traditional businesses but a town like Luton which is 25 minutes away from cosmopolitan London (on a fast train) who are the businesses adding flavours and helping communities settle in?

The story of the Windrush generation has been getting more limelight over the years, Henry's Afro Caribbean was the first Caribbean grocery in Luton. Just imagine how relived the new migrants felt being able to find a shop which serves local and familiar food straight from Jamaica.

Following the footsteps of Henry’s, I spoke to the owners and manager of Riley's, a local Caribbean store with 2 stores (in the indoor market and at Sundon Park). The business started very humbly in 2015 with Michael selling bread and other requested items by the customers. “What is unique about us is we make the store cosy and listen to our customers.”

Riley's was inspired by the owner’s mum Ms Riley who was always keen about bringing people together and making everyone feel welcomed and at home. When asked what the advice is when running a Caribbean store business, the team said it is very important to do your research and listen to the customers.

I headed over to Dallow Road and spoke to another black-owned family-run business by husband and wife Simon and Abena’ from Abena’s Authentic kitchen - a Ghanian takeaway restaurant, serving cooked dishes like jollof rice, soups and waakye. The business started right after lockdown. Abena said they get a number of customers from different parts of the community buying from them and trying out new delicacies. She said: “We have been warmly welcomed locally and see the impact social media has on people learning about Ghanian food and wanting to try it out”.

Abena’s Authentic Kitchen serves halal and is really pleased to be sharing the taste of Ghana in Luton.

Speaking to both businesses one thing that seems very clear to me is that their service is a big part of a wide range of communities in Luton. Now do you know why I commented we are fine here in Luton? It’s because of insights like this, communities are thriving, working together and everyone is playing their part, either has individuals or as a business.

> Deborah Abisola is a Bedfordshire-based entrepreneur and the Founder and Managing Director of RevOpsGo, a sales and data agency that helps businesses strengthen their sales and revenue operations through effective processes, technology and data. Beyond her work, Deborah is passionate about community and giving back. She runs a community breakfast club at Strathmore Methodist Church on the first Sunday of every month, with the support of the church and Luton Rising. Deborah is also the producer of the syndicated podcast Corporate Hard Talk, where she explores the realities of working life, business and the corporate world. Her passion for media stems from her academic background in Advertising, Media and Design Management and International Communication. When she’s not working or serving her community, Deborah enjoys connecting with people, spending quality time with family and friends, and equally values having time to herself.