Twelve independent restaurants across London have been awarded grants of £11,000 each as part of the Backing International Small Restaurants (BISR) programme, supported by American Express.
Now in its fourth year in the UK, the initiative is managed by the International Downtown Association (IDA) Foundation in partnership with the Association of Town & City Management (ATCM). The programme provides financial support to small, independently owned restaurants, empowering them to invest in essential improvements – from upgrading kitchen equipment and enhancing community initiatives, to improving marketing and customer experience.
This year’s UK recipients each receive £11,000 to invest in their business. They reflect the vibrancy of the UK’s independent restaurant sector, spanning everything from community cafés and family-run takeaways to destination dining spots.
Globally, the initiative will award over $1.4 million to 97 small and independently owned restaurants across 14 cities in the UK, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, Spain, and France. One of the recipients, CIRO’s, an Italian restaurant in Islington, North London, will use the grant to upgrade its oven and purchase new equipment to support the introduction of pasta-making workshops.
Owner Stephanie Schiattarella said: “This grant gives me the capital I need to upgrade essential equipment so we can make more fresh food in-house. It also means I can finally start running the pasta-making workshops I’ve been planning – something I’m really excited to offer to our local community.”
The London-based grant recipients are:
- Barra10
- Blue Check
- Bombay Chow
- Ciro’s
- Delicious Cafe
- Princelyn Restaurant
- Ida Restaurant
- Faroz Restaurant
- Arnabeet
- Riva Cafe
- The Bridge Central
- Wimbledon Guild of Social Welfare
Dan Edelman, General Manager, UK Merchant Services at American Express, said: “Independent restaurants play such an important role in our local economies, and are so often more than simply places to eat.
“Through the Backing International Small Restaurants programme, we’re proud to back these critical venues by providing grants for important business improvements, allowing them to thrive and continue serving their communities for years to come.” David Downey, Executive Director, IDA Foundation, added: “As we celebrate the Backing International Small Restaurants program, we are continually inspired by the resilience and positive impact of the small, independent restaurants selected as this year’s grantees.
“These restaurants are the heart and soul of their neighbourhoods, and through the generous, sustained support of American Express, we are proud to help strengthen the fabric of local communities across the UK and the world.” This initiative complements American Express’s Backing Historic Small Restaurants program, which has provided over $8 million to 180 restaurants across all 50 U.S. states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands since its creation in 2021.
Together, these programs have delivered over $11 million to support more than 410 small restaurants globally. American Express has long championed small businesses, launching Small Business Saturday 15 years ago and founding Shop Small, now a global movement across the UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, Mexico, France, Spain, New Zealand, and more.
