Chishuru launches crowdfund to open Oxford Circus restaurant

Chef Joké Bakare has launched a crowdfund to re-open her West African restaurant, Chishuru, in London’s Oxford Circus.

It comes after the original 32-cover Brixton Village site closed last October after the restaurant "outgrew" the space.

At the time of writing, Bakare had raised over £7,000 of her £75,000 target.

All money raised will be used to fund Chishuru’s budget for building the site, sourcing new furniture and kitchen appliances, and paying pre-opening expenses and upfront landlord costs.

The site, which has already been secured, will have more than 50 covers on the ground floor and basement. It will also house an open kitchen.

Rewards on offer for supports of the campaign include lunch or dinner for two; cooking classes; private chef opportunities; and a chance to engrave their names on the ‘founders’ wall’ in the restaurant.

The website for the crowdfund, which is due to end in 45 days’ time, said: “We’re incredibly excited to open “Chishuru 2.0” in central London. Joké’s food is one-of-a-kind and we can’t wait to present it on a bigger stage.”

Chishuru first opened in South London in September 2020 as a pop-up restaurant serving food inspired by Bakare’s Nigerian heritage.

The three-month pop-up turned into a permanent site following a positive review from Jay Rayner in the Observer.

Click here to view the crowdfund.