A cafe in Honour Oak Park has welcomed receiving support by corporate giant Coca-Cola recently as part of the company's 'Project Open' scheme.

Two Spoons in Honour Oak Park is run by co-founders Luca and Rose-Mary, and received "cutting-edge" and tailored business support courtesy of the global drinks giant ahead of the full lifting of most Covid-19 restrictions on July 19.

As part of Project Open, Coca-Cola helped set up a visit to the "busy café / speakeasy-vibe bar" by a team from Influence at Work – a renowned group of behavioural scientists and authors of best-selling books on the psychology of ethical influence and its application to business.

Among the advice Luca and Rose-Mary received was amending the food menu by championing the most popular dishes and specials. streamlining the drinks menu to "reduce choice overload", and launching a new outdoor seating area.

"The past year has been an incredibly challenging time for the business but the support from The Coca-Cola Open programme has been invaluable," Rose-Mary said.

"It’s been a great journey of learning more about my own business and the business has definitely benefitted from me taking a step back from the day-to-day in order to make strategic decisions for future success.

"The changes that were recommended are only small tweaks to what we do already but will result in bigger returns for us and a better experience for our customers.

"I am so thankful for the opportunity. There is still work to do, but with the great tools that have been given to me, it can be achieved," she added.

Jon Woods, General Manager, Coca-Cola Great Britain, sang the praises of the scheme and described its impact amid the ongoing fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Last year was the toughest in memory for hospitality businesses and we know it’s our smallest customers who have been, and continue to be, the worst affected," he said.

"Through this programme, we have provided some of our valued high street partners with the tools to address industry issues and survive the aftermath of the pandemic..."