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Meet the entrepreneurial twins driving an Airbnb-style revolution in London kitchen space

The founders of the UK’s first online marketplace for kitchen space, Kitchup, are plotting an Airbnb-style revolution for the capital’s kitchen space after building up the largest network of commercial kitchen space in London.

Entrepreneurial twins Charlie and Emma Jones, who founded the company back in 2015, have partnered with the likes of the Nationwide Caterers Association and Startup Direct to help food startups capitalise on the boom in convenience food brought about by the likes of Deliveroo and UberEats.

With the food to go market set to treble by 2020, the twins question whether restaurants and startups have the capacity to deal with demand and are preaching a more flexible and economical use of available kitchen space in the capital through their platform.

“We want to encourage a more collaborative and resourceful food community that has social, environmental and economic benefits for all involved,” explained Charlie. “We have already built up the largest network of commercial kitchen space in London, and we’re only just getting started.”

Potential space that could be utilised more efficiently by food entrepreneurs includes traditional facilities such as a coffee shop’s commercial bakery or more creative spaces such as a church or public building.

The company has already helped food startups which have outgrown home kitchens and pop-up spaces to scale by providing them with more flexible space along with bespoke business advice.

Charlie and Emma are now plotting a fundraise as they look to develop their technology base and roll-out their services across the UK.

Outlining their overall vision, Emma said: “With continuous innovation in the food industry we hope to bring more choice and flexibility to kitchen space, supporting people on their food journey and helping businesses thrive.”

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