Facing COVID-19: The South American food concept helping independent businesses generate cash flow

The team behind a South American eatery in the heart of London has launched a new platform to support the city’s independent businesses throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

Entrepreneurs and founders of Crudo Cevicheria, Carlos Socorro and Maria Yanez, have launched Local Small Businesses in order to allow London firms to maintain cash flow throughout the pandemic and subsequent business disruption.

Carlos and Maria opened Peruvian-inspired restaurant Crudo Cevicheria in Fitzrovia last year and have drawn on their own experiences in the hospitality industry to launch the platform, which aims to generate cash flow for independent businesses by offering services for use post-lockdown.

Founders Carlos Socorro and Maria Yanez explained: “The concept is simple - a website where businesses can post vouchers, products or services…allowing loyal customers to support their favourite places so that when this nightmare is over, London remains the exciting and diverse city we all love.

“Many small business owners will relate to our experience in these challenging times and why we decided to start this initiative.

“Within the first week we already had four new businesses interested, varying from a brewery to a fine dining concept. Customers’ and the media’s response has also been extremely positive. We were so pleased and humbled to see how everyone started supporting each other to overcome these difficult times.”