An Ealing restaurant is closing to paying customers over next week's half-term break in order to provide free hot lunches to children who are entitled to free school meals.

Maryam’s Kitchen in Ealing is one of many restaurants across the country taking up the mantle to feed children who will not get free school meals over the break. 

Owner Maryam Shams, 55, who opened the Persian and Middle Eastern restaurant in January 2019, intended to fund the entire project herself but in the hours following her announcement has received several donations from inspired customers.

This comes after 321 MPs voted against the proposal to extend free school meals for vulnerable children and struggling families.

Shams, who lives in Brentford, said: “I think the government’s decision is so unfair to these poor children.

“They need those free school meals and I just thought – what is going to happen to them?

“We just had to do something.’”

The restaurant will offer meals for collection and families will be able to pick them up on weekdays.

Various customers have already given Shams supermarket vouchers to help with the initiative, while others have offered to volunteer in the kitchen over half-term.

She commented: “It’s wonderful to have the support – it’s become a community effort.”

Shams added that she will try to provide free meals to children again over the Christmas holiday period if the situation remains the same.

She said: “If we can afford it, we will definitely go for it.

“The coronavirus pandemic has been difficult for us as a business so we’re hoping the government will step up, but if they don’t, then we can’t do nothing.”

This Is Local London: STEPPING UP: Sham will offer the service across half-termSTEPPING UP: Sham will offer the service across half-term

261 MPs voted in favour of extending the voucher scheme, and Conservative MP Caroline Ansell has resigned from government as Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in response to the vote’s outcome.

Footballer Marcus Rashford MBE, who is leading a campaign against child hunger, also spoke out against the decision and has been sharing the information of local businesses who are helping to fill the voucher scheme deficit over half-term on his Twitter account.

The service at Maryam’s Kitchen will be completely confidential.

Shams has asked that orders be placed in advance, either over the phone or by emailing her on maryamskitchensupperclub@gmail.com.

You can find out more here.