A restaurant has been saved from closure after an influx of bookings.

Chuku’s, a Nigerian tapas restaurant in High Road, Tottenham, feared it could have to close following years of struggling from the pandemic and current cost of living crisis.

Siblings Ifeyinwa and Emeka Frederick creatively decided to set a campaign drawing in more customers, allowing the restaurant to live on to 2023.

A challenge was set on October 31 to get 600 bookings over six weeks – however, they surpassed the goal by a third with 801 bookings.

Ms Frederick said: “When we launched the Six Week Charge, we thought that six hundred bookings might be too ambitious.

“To have surpassed that by over 200 is incredible and a testament to the power and importance of community.”

The public were encouraged to book a table between October 31 and December 11 to help the restaurant get “back on track” after the past few years of the hospitality industry struggling.

The campaign attracted many people including Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP Dianne Abbott, Watford centre-back William Troost-Ekong and Top Boy star Jolade Obasola.

A video that highlighted the challenge attracted more than 700,000 views across Twitter and Instagram, and became a widely spread clip.

Chuku’s opened just five weeks before Covid-19 was declared a global pandemic.

But despite receiving its rave reviews, the restaurant faced difficulty with lockdown restrictions, staff shortages and general costs rising.

In a video shared on their social media channels that announced the campaign, Mr Frederick said: “We must admit we’re struggling to keep our doors open.”

The owners say that the message went “viral” and reached people across the globe.

Mr Frederick said: “From day one of the campaign, support came in thick and fast. We are so grateful that we can keep on celebrating the best of Nigerian cuisine and culture for now. But don’t forget that we’re here 52 weeks of the year - let’s keep this energy going.

“So please, keep coming down and telling your friends about us. Independent businesses need your support now more than ever!”Â