We are proud to introduce to you 280degrees African Restaurant and Bar which officially opened their doors to the public on Saturday 20th of July 2013.
I decided to visit and see what the buzz was about. From outside to inside, you could see there was a personal touch to the décor. Every piece was well thought through before being put into this restaurant creating a really cosy friendly environment.
The DJ‘s music selection included new and old afro tunes and, you could see that the guests were having a fabulous time. Our secret guests gave the environment and evening's atmosphere 9/10, music 9/10 and the food 9/10. So we decided that our company one year anniversary would be celebrated in this cosy piece of Africa. See our invite in the Event page
Watch 280degrees African Restaurant and Bar opening day pictures
or click Facebook Page to find out more about the restaurant.
“Am pleased our hard work has paid off.” Owner Onyekachi Nwogu told Afro reveal on the opening night. “We are about getting to know our customers and we strive to serve high quality African cuisine that reflects my culture in a friendly and cosy environment.”
Read the rest of my brief but informative interview with this budding entrepreneur below.
Mr and Mrs Nwogu
Restaurant images featured here are by Mrs Chinelo Nwogu
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Congratulations Onyeka. Your family must be so proud of your achievement.
Yes they are - my wife, children, siblings, friends etc. In fact, my wife is responsible for the whole décor.
Then I must say you are a very lucky man to have such creatively talented wife because the decorations are absolutely fabulous.
Yes, I believe so too (he laughs)
So tell us a bit about yourself.
Well, my name is Onyekachi Nwogu. I am from a family of seven – 5 boys and 2 girls; a graduate of ESUT (Enugu State University of Technology, Nigeria) and I did a brief work experience in Kaduna state, Nigeria. Then I went into private business in Lagos, Nigeria and been working for myself since. I met my wife who had a passion for where she wanted to be, so in order to achieve that – we relocated to the UK. I have a sister who had been living in the UK then for 4 years and whom I have been coming into the country to spend the summers with so settling into UK with my wife wasn't too much of a problem.
What did you notice about African’s working in the UK when you first arrived?
I found that people put so much hours at work, achieve very little and do not have much to show for it. I felt that if I put same hours doing something for myself, I could make more money for myself. So I decided to work towards being self-employed and see if I could make more money than I did working long hours for someone else.
What was your first business in the UK?
I came into the country with a small finance so I decided to use it to set up an Internet Communications business: offering various services like: computer and internet access, photocopying, printing and faxing services, cargo and money transfer.
Having come into a country where it’s way of doing business is so different from how it’s done in other African countries, how did you find setting up your business?
I worked briefly for people in the security industry. While there, I shared my ideas and experience with various people including owners of various off-licences to find out about the advantages and disadvantages of running your own business. It is time consuming and requires ample dedication, but I have been successfully running my business for 5 years now.
What inspired you to start this African restaurant?
I am very social, love entertaining, putting events together. I also love good quality African food. So I thought why not make money by going into entertainment, the kind where I can combine good quality African food, drinks and socializing.
I felt that it was better to go into something that I not only enjoy but also know about; hence I will be able to make informed decisions about running my business.
Where did the inspiration for the restaurant décor come from?
It’s all my wife’s taste…which is reflected in the colour scheme, design, style from outside to inside. The walls have 3D wall paper called “the future wall”. She decorated our home and people always complement my home when they visit so I gave her free hand when it came to decorating the restaurant knowing that it would come out beautiful.
How do you feel the opening went?
It was fantastic; friends and associates all came to support me.
What edge does your restaurant have over all other similar restaurants?
I have a background in Administration and have been in business for awhile so I intend to use my administrative knowledge and business experiences in ensuring we are working towards being the best Nigerian Restaurant in the UK.
I always ensure we serve high quality food cooked to high standards at everyday prices and our customers receive excellent and friendly customer service in a clean beautiful environment that feels like home away from home.
People say African foods are very expensive compared to other culture’s food. So we offer good quality food for everyone at competitive prices. You can get our weekly lunch pack offering the same quality and quantity food (soup and swallow, white rice or jellof) for half the price (£4.99) Monday to Friday between 12:30 to 5pm.
We also offer Sunday family Lunch between 1pm and 11pm which includes kids menu with choice of fruits. You can eat in or take your order away. We even deliver to local offices and home free of charge and are working towards extending the delivery service to other areas of London. I want to share African culture with everyone through food and our weekly lunch pack plus kids menu means our food is accessible to everyone including those who want to try African food for the first time.
We've also included weekend entertainments. From a romantic evening for two on Friday with our Friday After-work Jazz night between 6pm and 11pm, followed by music to rock out to by our highly recommended DJ from 11pm to 3am; a Saturday night treat (Saturday Jam) with friends jamming to Afro tunes played by our resident DJ from 9pm to 3am; to a Sunday lunch for the family while listening to lovely background music……our restaurant is more than about serving delicious African cuisine, it’s also about the experience too.
Thank you for letting us interview you Mr Nwogu, we wish you all the best. We also look forward to enjoying the African experience in your restaurant this Saturday 27 July during our company one year anniversary.
You are welcome. We look forward to giving you and your guests a fantastic evening out.
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