Nathan Damson, owner of independent restaurant Andy’s Burgers, fears the same thing is happening in Walthamstow.
In August 2024, Nathan and his lifelong friend Asad Yaqub opened Andy’s Burgers.
The name ‘Andy’ was chosen as an amalgamation of Nathan and Asad’s initials.
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But Nathan says business “could be going a lot better”.
Nathan, who was born and bred in Walthamstow, attributes a lot of this to the presence of global business chains in Waltham Forest.
He said: “On one hand Waltham Forest Council promotes local artisan industry from the village but then you cross over the road and it’s just full of these big brand restaurants.
“If you look at the branding of Waltham Forest to people from outside the borough, it seems very independent-focused.
“But if you actually go into Waltham Forest and have a look around, you go ‘well hold on, why are there so many global brands in prominent positions?’”
Located in Hoe Street, Andy’s Burgers faces stiff competition.
McDonald’s, Subway and Pepe’s Piri Piri Chicken are some of the global brands with stores along the same road.
“We are about ten doors down from McDonald’s, I think there’s a Wingstop opening another two doors down as well.” said Nathan.
McDonald’s is located at 258-260 Hoe Street, Walthamstow (Image: Google) “Although I am thinking about my restaurant, I know this affects all independent businesses. You have got to stand for something or you don’t stand for anything at all.”
Nathan also highlighted a problem in the rise of online delivery orders, which are a bigger relative cost to small businesses.
“Delivery companies take large percentages from our profit margins,” he says. “I really do think that’s a disservice to local food producers. It only suits the big businesses.”
With “bespoke burgers” starting at £8.50, Nathan knows he cannot compete on sheer price with multinationals.
But he hopes that Andy’s Burgers’ use of fresh produce and focus on the community will be seen by customers and give them a much-needed push.
“This commitment to quality naturally influences our pricing,” said Nathan, who insists that Andy’s still offers “exceptional value” for the food it serves.
“I know people make the assumption that burgers are unhealthy, but we cook everything from scratch, we use local providers – getting our fruit and veg from the market. We really focus on fresh food.
“We cook everything from scratch and use local providers such as producers from Smithfield and Billingsgate markets.
“We’re very community-focused, we want to talk to people, have conversations.
“We know a lot of people who can’t afford our food and we try to manage that with them, because at the end of the day, they are the customers who will serve us for the long term.”
Waltham Forest Council did not comment when contacted by this paper.
