Iqbal Wahhab on London terror attacks: ‘we will come out of this stronger'

Iqbal Wahhab, founder of London restaurant Roast, which was close to the attacks in London Bridge on Saturday night, on why the community of Borough Market will come out of the experience stronger.

"We all know of the potential of terrorist attacks in the UK, but we never imagine they will take place on your doorstep. Thankfully, while Roast is a centrepiece attraction of Borough Market, being on the first floor during the London Bridge terror attacks kept our employees and customers safe. Sadly those in our neighbours' restaurants and bars weren't so lucky. Our hearts are with the families and friends of those who were killed and injured.

"Borough Market has been trading food and drink for over 1,000 years, the last 11 of which I have been based there for. It's a tightly knit community with all the friendly rivalry and banter markets tend to create. Over the coming days we will come together to share our feelings of horror at what happened and come out of this stronger and more determined than ever to be celebrated for being part of Britain's greatest food market. Like with the people of Manchester, we will become more resolute.

"Writing this article is taking longer than usual. Not because I don't know what to say, but because of all the calls and texts and messages I have been receiving since last night and checking what measures we need to place in while the area is sealed off. Luckily we have a great team of managers who have been working through the night and all day today [Sunday 4 June]."

Reproduced courtesy of the International Business Times. For the full article, go to: www.ibtimes.co.uk/muslim-restaurant-owner-borough-market-this-attack-sickens-me-1624684