Independent retailers in the London borough of Enfield are benefitting from a cash injection with a difference thanks to a new ‘cash mob’ project.

Foodies Enfield is a group set up to organise cash mobs, in which it gets together 10 people willing to spend at least £10 in a store they would not usually visit, and assemble there at a specific time. The retailer has no idea that their business has been chosen, and the local media are invited to attend in order to raise the profile of the store.

One of the businesses that has benefitted from the cash mob is The Village Food Store. “We have been here many years, but a lot of people do not know we are just round the corner,” said store owner Jill Simpson. “Promotion for a store like ours is tough, so this event was absolutely great.”

Foodies Enfield founder Karen Mercer said the idea, which originated in the US, was to drive money into the local economy and support independent retailers. “The main idea is to boost local independent businesses,” she said. “About 10 people arrange to meet up and then descend upon one lucky shop. It’s a way to inject cash into our local economy and make an independent retailer’s day.”