Restaurateur Charlie Mellor has had a busy few months revamping popular Hackney restaurant The Laughing Heart, as well as launching new restaurant delivery service Big Night to provide a platform for independent restaurants. Here, we speak to him about the project, its mission and what we can expect next from him.
You recently launched delivery service Big Night. Could you tell us more about that?
Big Night was launched during the London lockdown as a response to the entire lack of quality delivery services. They were all a combination of too expensive, lacking in functionality, poorly curated, poor service or all of the above. It started with an internal e-commerce and delivery service I ran at The Laughing Heart. Ed Thaw from Leroy was our first client when he created Royale, and it has grown organically from there.
We have a dozen restaurants on the platform now and are in conversation with a load of exciting brands. The on-boarding process can happen within hours if people want but the best thing to do, we feel, is to take a minute to understand the unique requirements of every new restaurant partner and try and build a page that represents their brand and their needs.
How will Big Night support independent restaurants better than current services?
Big Night is founded within the independent restaurant community. Our initial platform was designed with my guidance so it included the back-end functionality that restaurants need. We are as passionate about customer service as our restaurant clients are, which means you can always reach a key member of the team to assist you with your queries. It’s practically a 24/7 support service. The added benefit of being invited to join Big Night is that you’re in the mix with operators you respect, so we learn from each other and see the platform improve as we make changes based on their insights and feedback. We train our delivery drivers to ensure they work to a superior standard than any competitors.The opportunity for cross-promotional events is proving interesting as well. We are proud to be sponsoring Mangal 2 x TLH at the end of September.
What’s your mission with Big Night?
We want to achieve a load of things but primarily we wish to represent the niche of restaurants we come from, and provide them with a solution to transition into the takeaway market. We do this in a way which celebrates their brand, is dignified and aligns them with a community of likeminded operators. Together we can tell a new, exciting story with this medium.
Can you tell us about some of the partners you are working with?
The Partners are varied, but all represent the best at what they do. From our early, fancier partners in Luca and Leroy to Two Light’s truly exceptional fried chicken. We have the talented duo Anlgo Thai popping up at Newcomer Wines, or Mangal 2, the legends of Kingsland Road who have pared back the offering since reopening last month. There is nothing on Big Night that isn’t absolutely banging and there never will be.
You also recently reopened The Laughing Heart post-lockdown. How has that experience been?
It’s been a rollercoaster! On the one hand, it is is so lovely to welcome guests back to the restaurant and I think what we are offering them is in many ways better than it has ever been. But we are by no means full every service and the financial struggle is there, coupled with the obvious anxieties and challenges that every individual is facing in their lives right now. It’s bittersweet, but we are pushing-on and love nothing more than a busy service where we can deliver our product and take care of people. For those who love hospitality as much as we do, the opportunity to care for others is a great healer.
How have you adapted your offering?
Nearly everything is new at TLH right now. We are only trading 4 days per week, we are offering lunch on the weekends, have put a pin in Late Night for a while until the demand returns. We have closed the Cave, opening it only for private hire for up to 12 people. We have an amazing meal kit that is available through Big Night, of course. The menu in the restaurant is now a fixed price 3 or 4 course offering. You have options at every stage, so not as prescriptive as some places, but still helps us guarantee the turnover we need and to ensure that people have a balanced meal – no more small plates! It’s a format I feel we will continue with indefinitely.
Either personally or professionally, what’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learnt during lockdown?
My personal life and my professional life are probably a bit too intermingled. Some separation at some point will be a good idea. In the mean time I have realised or remembered so much of what is important to me, and why I started my business to begin with. I only want to work with products I believe are special and sustainable. I only want to work with talented and motivated people. The lesson is that I know I can achieve these ideas if they are the priority always.
What’s next for you?
I need to keep my head down and find a way through for The Laughing Heart and Big Night. I would be lying if I didn’t confess to enjoying the entrepreneurial side of my life. I have a few other irons in the fire at the moment, but it’s all stuff that centres around growing what I am already working on, creating opportunities for talented people and providing balance in life. I am inspired, motivated, working really hard – just want to keep that going in a sustainable way.
Where’s your favourite place to eat in London (other than The Laughing Heart)?
Tough to say for certain, but Brawn always delivers.
Finally, if you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Yum Cha – no question.
To find out more about The Laughing heart, visit the website here
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