Building a fairer, more inclusive London for all - Mercato Metropolitano

Mercato Metropolitano is a marketplace that hosts carefully selected food suppliers and trading partners that connect visitors and communities to healthy living. Mercato Metropolitano brings diverse food practices and ingredients from different countries, cultures and traditions into urban environments.

They take a global approach with a local focus. Whilst their food is authentic and grounded in cultural traditions from their traders, they encourage to the best of their ability the use of locally sourced, natural ingredients.

We spoke to Mercato Metropolitano about their commitment to being a London Living Wage employer:

Hospitality is built on generosity, culture, and most importantly, human connection. Not only is it about creating welcoming spaces for shared experiences, it is also about looking after people; guests, staff and the local community alike. That’s why at Mercato Metropolitano, we’ve paid every single one of our team members the London Living Wage since our inception – ensuring that no one is left behind. 

Every year we have been committed to raising wages in line with the Living Wage Foundation, and earlier this year, we were proud to have been presented with the Mayor’s Good Work Standard Award for our contribution to creating a more inclusive capital.

Building on this, last month we opened Mercato Ilford; a brand new cultural hub in the heart of East London. As an expression of our regenerative food movement, Movimento Metropolitano, the impact of our Ilford market goes beyond bringing diverse global cuisine to local plates. It has helped further regeneration in the local area, boost the local economy, promote local food entrepreneurialism, and helped create sustainable local food systems.

But we also know that to make a real, tangible, long-lasting difference – this impact has to start from within. Our people are the golden thread of our movement, mission, and mindset, and we’re committed to empowering them in every way we can. That’s why – like all our locations across London – MM Ilford is a proud London Living Wage employer committed to improving the livelihoods of those living and working in East London. 

Testament to this, Mercato Ilford’s Assistant Manager, Herman Mangueira, recently shared with us how the London Living Wage has been transformative for him personally. He expressed how it has not only helped him save money and relieve financial pressures, but has had an impact that stretches far beyond that. Bringing a spectrum of shared benefits for employer and staff alike, Herman has observed how it helps to boost morale, productivity, and job satisfaction, in return improving customer service and attracting talented people to join our Mercato family. 

Looking ahead, I’m delighted to announce that next month I’ll be joining a steering group aimed at “Making London a Living Wage City.” Co-chaired by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and led by Citizens UK and Trust for London, this project will convene leading voices from the civil, private and public spheres for a shared mission: “To put £635m of wages back into the pockets of low-wage workers in London.” 

This will be a fantastic opportunity to raise the voices of our capital’s hard-working yet underpaid service workers, and I’m very much looking forward to collaborating with like-minded leaders to spark change. Working hand in hand with partners who share our passion, purpose, and vision is how we harness the power of business and hospitality as a force for good – but we need to take this to the next level.

I therefore urge other local businesses who are in a position to do so, to join our community of London Living Wage Employers and support your workforce to thrive rather than just survive the challenges of London life. 

Life in our capital can be tough at times, especially when faced with the compounding ripple effects of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. As employers, we must empower our workforce to navigate this landscape with confidence – supporting them and their families to live securely, healthily, and happily.

What is our financial responsibility as London employers? A better question should be what is our moral imperative as fellow Londoners. It goes beyond what kind of business we aim to be and towards what kind of community do we want to foster? What kind of culture do we want to nurture? And what kind of future do we want to build? 

Committing to being a London Living Wage Employer is synonymous with committing to people, community, and prosperity for all – so we hope more businesses will join us in this mission to ensure everyone across our capital receives the fair pay they need and deserve. 

Until then, Mercato Metropolitano will continue to lead the way; working together with the Living Wage Foundation to imagine and build a fairer, more inclusive London for all.