After a successful launch in late 2019, Sri Lankan restaurant Kolamba faced the uncertainty of the Covid pandemic hitting in early 2020. Located in Carnaby Street, central London, they quickly pivoted their offering, creating a delivery menu and meal kits, trading successfully throughout this tumultuous period. Fast forward two years, and at the end of 2021 they weren’t confident their pre-pandemic brand proposition was still relevant and were looking for a refresh of their brand and marketing strategy.

I was brought on board to unify the brand proposition across their physical restaurant and online store. With their own Sri Lankan heritage, and close links with home, focusing on the brand’s authenticity created a clear position in a market otherwise saturated with South Asian fusion food, often missing the intricacies of individual cuisines.

Starting with a marketing audit and competitor analysis, I was quickly able to steer them in the right direction:

• Revealed a unifying brand principle to inform all marketing & comms

• Worked seamlessly with their PR, social media, website and PPC agencies to improve paid and organic performance

• Created a detailed marketing plan for Christmas, resulting in record-breaking numbers in the restaurant (before Boris’ covid announcement)

• Gave clear direction for development of the meal kit business post-pandemic

  “Thank you so much for all the hard work you have put into this and the great analysis. We have both found the exercise very useful, especially as a tool on how to focus and plan for the future and perspective from a fresh pair of eyes.”

  Aushi Meewella
  Co-Founder