Fighting Covid-19, diverse family businesses in the London Borough of Brent recognised and celebrated in my new photographic project, A Lifetime’s Work

I am proud to announce that @a_lifetimes_work, a photographic exhibition that celebrates and recognises the importance of family businesses in the London Borough of Brent is to launch May 4 2020 on Instagram, (https://www.instagram.com/a_lifetimes_work/) as part of Brent 2020, London Borough of Culture.

This is something I have been developing and working on since last year and
is a photographic project focusing on families serving the community within Brent which celebrates and recognises the diversity of independent family businesses over generations that have played a major role to the local Brent community and to the wider world in the past, present and the future.

During this difficult time of Covid-19, our local businesses have become even more important to us, literally becoming the only lifeline we can rely on. Others due to their nature since the start of this project have had to temporarily close their doors, but this is maybe a time for us to value those that have serviced our local areas and beyond.

The inspiration for this photographic project came from John Gibbons, my local greengrocer, who has stood near Dollis Hill tube station for the last 43 years. I wanted to share John’s personal story and then showcase the many others within the London Borough of Brent who have dedicated themselves to their family businesses and local communities.

In recent weeks, I have had to revisit the project to reflect on what is happening now. This makes the project an important statement on how we as a society need to support our local businesses. In these difficult times, we need to be there for them so they will be here for us.”

Through Instagram @a_lifetimes_work, I will be will be updating it continually with many local family businesses that were commissioned for the project, these include:

John the Greengrocer – Dollis Hill
Palm Beach Fish & Chips – Kensal Rise
O’Farrell’s Butcher – Willesden Green
Browns Edwards Shoe Repair – Kensal Rise
Gayatri Sweet Mart – Kingsbury
Gee Barbers – Kensal Rise
Munroe Stores – Cricklewood
Arena Restaurant – Wembley
Kayes Curtain & Blinds – Harlesden

Thank you to everyone who has been involved in this and if you know anyone else who would like to be included, let me know.

Please follow on Instagram @a_lifetimes_work and help support local family businesses.