This Restaurant Is Working to End Homelessness
130 Primrose is taking over the space formerly known as Home KitchenHome Kitchen in Primrose Hill was opened in the autumn of 2024 to help socially vulnerable transform their lives by providing employment. In the year that it operated under Executive Chef Adam Simmonds, the restaurant employed 16 individuals affected by homelessness, with five members of the original cohort progressing into permanent hospitality roles, which is why Home Kitchen was one of our 2025 Heroes.Now the social enterprise is getting a new lease of life as the space flips into 130 Primrose, with Monica Galetti stepping into the Exec Chef role and Head Chef Eric Zhang leading the kitchen. Like its previous incarnation, 130 Primrose will recruit people with experience of homelessness via referrals from partner charities including The Big Issue, Crisis, Beam, Soup Kitchen London and Only A Pavement Away.Employees will then be offered paid work as part of the front of house or kitchen team, accredited training, and opportunities to progress further in the hospitality industry. The long-term aim is to expand the model across the UK and become a pipeline of talent for the hospo sector, while also reshaping perceptions of homelessness.The 50-cover restaurant will be open all day, all week, serving a Mediterranean-inspired menu, with salads and sandwiches also available at lunchtimes, charcuterie and cheese on offer in the evenings, and a speakeasy-style cocktail bar coming in the summer.Speaking about 130 Primrose, Monica Galetti said: “I’ve seen first-hand how, with the right support, people can rediscover hope, dignity and purpose through opportunities like this. That’s why I didn’t hesitate when I was asked to help shape the culinary future of this incredible project. My first task is to create an exciting new menu that attracts customers to support our mission – celebrating the best British seasonal ingredients with a little twist of fun. Later, I’ll weave in touches of my Samoan heritage, giving our trainees a unique development opportunity and helping them to stand out when they move on in their career in hospitality.”Key InformationOpening date | Fri 8th May 2026Address | 130 Regent’s Park Rd, London NW1 8XLFor more information | 130primrose.org
