Elena Phillipson (left), founder of Neighbourhood Pantry and local supportive resident Poppy (right)
Help our high streets thrive!
We’re creating new and exciting opportunities for local businesses by helping them boost their digital presence. Neighbourhood Pantry, Parson Green’s newest delivery start-up, is one of the local companies benefitting from our support.
Post-pandemic support
Last year, the female-founded company applied for funding through the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG), specifically designed to support local business recovery after Covid.
The funding was also used to boost trade and resilience for local high streets with constituted groups such as local businesses and community or voluntary member groups making applications.
The council delivered more than £8m of grant payments to local businesses in the three rounds of the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) scheme. We’ve also issued over £46m to more than 3,000 businesses in the form of grants, including the Restart Grant and the Local Restrictions Support Grant.
Digital growth
With the funding Neighbourhood Pantry have been able to redevelop their e-commerce platform in partnership with H&F – making it more convenient that ever to shop online for your favourite Fulham foods.
The company, founded and entirely run by Elena Phillipson, 32, is entirely online – all customers need to do is place an order.
“I handpick the shopping from each store, whether it’s the greengrocer, the butcher, the baker or the deli,” said Elena.
“I then pack it and deliver it straight to your door. I’ll even go to the florist for you – Neighbourhood Pantry is your local, online one-stop-shop.”
Elena founded the business after being inspired by independent shops during the pandemic.
“It was the small, local businesses that came together to support their community source the essentials, when online shopping slots were hard to come by and supermarket queues long,” said Elena.
“I lived in Parsons Green for almost 10 years and loved the area and the great local independent shops, cafes and restaurants. The pandemic got me thinking about how I could continue to support these wonderful businesses when our lives returned to normal, which is why I set out to make their fantastic produce easily accessible.”
The business delivers food from stores in SW6 to residents every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. From Amalfi lemons, green olive patè and red velvet cupcakes, to coffee beans and Sunday roast boxes, everything is sourced from local independent stores.
“It’s these small independent businesses that make a neighbourhood what it is and that give it its unique character,” added Elena.
“Without them, every high street would look the same. My hope is to give these businesses and their highstreets a real opportunity to thrive by connecting them with busy people in their area who want to support them.”
H&F funding has also allowed the business to plan for their digital future. “We’ll soon be launching a new subscription service,” explained Elena.
“It means you’ll be able to subscribe to your favourite local shops and have the food and drink you love most delivered weekly, fortnightly or monthly.”
Once launched, the service will also offer subscribers the chance to skip or cancel at any time, or to add one-off items from the website to each order.
Get involved
Neighbourhood Pantry has 15 partners across Fulham, including Bridge Baker, The Bottle Shop, The Real Flower Company, Doghouse Distillery and Gourmet Hound, but they’re always on the lookout for new partners.
If you’re a business in the Fulham SW6 area and are interest in joining their platform, email: hell@neighbourhoodpantry.com.
Find out more on the Neighbourhood Pantry website.
Stay updated
For residents interested in joining the scheme, Neighbourhood Pantry have a newsletter that shares all their exciting news, introductory offers and the dates of upcoming tasting with partner stores.
Sign up through their website: Neighbourhood Pantry - Shop Small & Local, Conveniently.
Or follow them on Instagram or Facebook.
The company is also offering 15 per cent off your first order with the code SHOPLOCAL15.
H&F business support
If you’re looking for H&F support for your business, why not visit our dedicated business support and advice webpage?
We offer FREE 1-2-1 business advice, workshops covering topics such as marketing, social media and finance, as well as opportunities to meet other local businesses and share support and advice.
Or why not join one of our Business Associations? Find out more about joining here.
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