LREF 2017: The Syrian refugee whose two-week pop-up restaurant in a converted first-floor flat in east London sold out in 24 hours, is looking for space in Soho to set up a permanent kitchen.
Imad Alarnab, who owned two restaurants in Damascus before they were destroyed and he was forced to flee from war 18 months ago, is seeking space for a restaurant of about 40 people, to provide “Syrian food for non-Syrians”, as well as a falafel bar.
For his pop-up in March, located in Columbia Road, E2, Alarnab was supported by Appear Here, which used its pop-up property listing site to find space, and the Hamstead Kitchen, a private catering business.
Media coverage of the concept reached 70m people worldwide.
Appearing on EG’s Speaker’s Corner at the London Real Estate Forum today, Alarnab described his gratitude for the support he had received in London to establish himself as a successful restaurateur again, and also explained his plans.
“I was washing cars and selling used cars to save money to set up a restaurant again, and thought it would take years, not months. I feel like I have my life back again.”
He added: “Everyone asks me about the Syrian community in London, but I don’t want to be part of the Syrian community, I want to be part of the London community. London’s multiculturalism is amazing.”
Alarnab was talking on the stage with Appear Here’s head of brand, Alice Ratcliffe.
She said: “We wanted to prove to Imad that London is a place where anyone with an idea can make it happen.
“So many young businesses want to start small and test their ideas, and these ideas are quickly scaling. What you then have is a successful business that can take on a long-term lease.
“Despite losing everything, Imad arrived in London with a determination to make his dreams happen again.”
Appear Here is planning to launch a competition in July to provide free space for start-ups in London, New York and Paris.
Photo credit: Joe Howard
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