Entrepreneur Philip McGuinness sold his house to make his dream of running a pan-Asian restaurant and takeaway business come true. Tootoomoo was started in Crouch End on a shoestring, at the age of 35 Philip risked everything he owned and worked day and night for four years. Now he has branches in Highbury, Highgate and Whetstone too. It’s one of more than 100 local and independent businesses offering discounts to Local Buyers Club members – bring your membership card or order online with your member’s code to save 15% (Find out more here) He told the Local Buyers Club: “At the time the quality of the take-out offering wasn’t that great in London, I wanted to reinvent the takeaway. I found a
If you’re sick of browsing generic websites for uninspiring gifts but are struggling to find time to shop local, we have the answer. We’ve been researching locally-run websites which offer brilliant, original gifts this Christmas. And there are lots of savings for Local Buyers Club members. Here are ten of our favourites. 1. The Curious Cockney. We love this online shop which specialises in decadent, bohemian and modern homeware and fashion which is mainly sourced from East End makers and artists. It’s run by Sam Parsley who was previously a fashion buyer for Topshop, ASOS and River Island. The website promotes small local businesses and independent makers. www.thecuriouscockney.com 2. CARV
Thousands of Hackney children are living in third-world, Dickensian conditions, according to a charity which coordinates a Winter Toy Appeal to help the very poorest. Claire Reay, Manager of the Ivy Street Family Centre, said poverty levels are the worst they’ve ever seen. She’s appealing for urgent donations of new toys to give to the poorest children this winter. Please donate a new toy or gift for a child aged 0-18 – you can shop local and donate in person at various drop-off points in Hackney (see below for details) or buy via the Wishlist www.toyappealwishlist.com “It’s a choice of ‘heating’ or ‘eating’ for many families- the children get fed but they’re constantly cold and there’s cer