Supporting independent restaurants in Haringey

Adam Doffman explains why he’s launched a new platform aimed at promoting the borough’s local eating out scene

Adam Doffman (left) and food from Paesan in Crouch End (right)

It’s no secret that the UK’s hospitality industry is still reeling from the impact of the pandemic.

Even now, in mid-2025, footfall across hospitality is only at about 90% of 2019 levels—and the pub and bar market alone has seen a staggering 61% drop in value.

But these challenges aren’t shared equally. It’s the small, independent venues that are taking the hardest hit and I’ve seen that first hand.

Unlike the big chains, independent cafés, pubs, and restaurants don’t have national marketing budgets or corporate safety nets. A few quiet sittings in a row can be the difference between survival and closure. And that’s a real threat to the vibrant, community-driven food culture that makes our local high streets so special.

That’s exactly why I started Out + About. Born in Crouch End, Out + About is my way of helping to get more people through the doors of our local independent food and drink spots—especially during those quieter times when they need support the most. For me, it’s all about encouraging spontaneous, joyful, in-person experiences while backing the independent venues that give our neighbourhoods their heart and soul.

I launched Out + About with my friend Nick because we saw firsthand how tough things had become for smaller operators. They don’t have the tools or the reach of larger chains—but what they do have is incredible food, dedicated teams, and a lot of passion. Out + About gives them a real-time way to reach local customers, boost footfall, and fill empty tables.

So how does it work? It’s simple. We partner with independent venues to share exclusive, time-sensitive offers via a local WhatsApp group, currently running in N8 and N10. These short-term deals are designed to help fill gaps in the week and get people back into the habit of going out locally.

In Crouch End and Muswell Hill, we’ve already built a brilliant community of over 800 members, sharing deals from some amazing venues—think Paesan, Brunch On the Hill, FASTA, Sourdough Sophia, Humble Grape, and more. Every week, our WhatsApp group gets curated, last-minute offers delivered straight to their phones. It’s simple, accessible, and all about keeping things local.

Want to get involved?

If you’re local, just join our WhatsApp group here to start receiving exclusive deals from fantastic indie spots in the area. And if you run a venue and want to be part of the movement, I’d love to chat. You can message us on Instagram @outandabout.app or drop me an email at [email protected].

Looking ahead, we’re planning to expand into Highgate, more of Haringey, and parts of Camden too. The mission’s the same: to support the small businesses that make London such a joy to eat and drink in—and to build a new, community-first way of going out that really works for everyone.

As I often say, we’ve all got the power to keep our local places alive. Sometimes all it takes is a little incentive and a little love. That’s what Out + About is all about.

Local news needs your support

We are proud that we were at the forefront of reporting on the recent local elections. We can’t do this without the support of our readers.

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.