Hummingbird lounge

06/08/2026

Totally taken aback by the love, kindness, messages and well wishes ❤️

Truly humbled by the thought of a fundraiser for a truck, something I'd never put forward personally as we're all doing the best with what little we have 🙏🏾 but the sentiment is so much appreciated ❤️

I too miss the vibe on the High Street. People passing and doing a little boogie in the window. The aromas, the seasoning and spices 🫑 Hopefully they won't be in storage for too long....

Nikki Evans and aibrean thank you so much ♥️ you both know what for 🙌🏾

Something I heard quite a lot growing up....."nothing before it's time".... for now it's building myself back up. Thank you so much for the love shown ❤️

05/08/2026

"You should just get another truck".... how many times I've heard that since closing the High Street.... feel free to help me buy another!

The reality...I was in a blessed position to buy Bernice thanks to family investment 🙏🏾 at the same time I put everything into High streets hummingbird lounge both financially, physically and mentally only to shatter my hard held belief it would eventually take off...

Thankfully my staff have moved on with relative ease having found roles elsewhere within a short time 🙌🏾 as for me? Part broken, part rebuilding and forever hopeful the hummingbird journey WILL continue in some format 💪🏾 I just need a little time....

23/07/2026

23/07/2021..... five years to the day when Bernice first hit Broad Street 🥰

Little did I know of the lives that beautiful orange truck would have, not just on me but the community too ♥️ Of course she's missed 😔

Having rolled the dice in an attempt to do more... well, the result is evident 😢 at the least I tried even against the odds

Having not quite completely severed ties with the High Street due to ongoing responsibilities, I'm aiming to take a little time to just find myself again before coming back stronger 💪🏾

Thank you so much to all who played a part in the journey of Hummingbird ♥️

I was asked tonight if I had regrets transitioning from truck to restaurant.....

Not at all..... we can offer more to the community, expand on our menu plus try with all our might to bring something different to Newtown, the surrounding areas and the High Street ❤

Yes, the running costs are extortionate but that's a risk we've chosen to take on as we belive our food is second to none 💪🏾

It has always been a journey, through good and bad. Our hearts are always on our sleeves as we try and make a positive name for ourselves ❤

13/07/2026

Every day I'm asked what are you going to do next....

Since closing the doors on the 15th June I have been packing and storing essentials for chapter 4.0 of Hummingbird lounge as I make plans to move a little further afield 🫣

Whether it's a truck or physical premises the prority remains, find a new home for Johnal where he can just rest his head for a moment before coming back stronger and better prepared 💪🏾

The reality is I have options but first and foremost I require a little rest before I go full on into hummingbird version 4.0

Don't know about you but I'm missing the aroma of jerk chicken and slow cooked curried mutton 😛

26/06/2026

We're missing you too 😢

The gravity of the decision to close has really hit hard... not just for Johnal but also the staff that have enjoyed our journey 😞

The reality.... the hospitality sector is in serious decline, not just for little independents like us but also Michelin star places too as everyone either in either governmental or council want their cut regardless

Bear with us whilst we work s@%t out as this chapter is closed but hummingbird will go on 🙌🏾

Johnal is blessed with a team willing to follow the next steps but at the moment, in between packing his work and home he's trying to figure it out 💪🏾

16/06/2026

Emotions are running deep 😪 not just for me but for my staff too 😔

Nevertheless I remain proud of how far hummingbird has come 😍

1.0 hummingbird Caribbean food truck
2.0 hummingbird on the High Street
3.0 hummingbird lounge
4.0 ????? Let's see 👀

Thank you to all for the loving positive comments

Taking time out to not think, deal with deliveries or prep food whilst I consider the next move 💪🏾

Ps. There's currently no possibility of another truck as I invested heavily in the High Street location but rest assured I'll find a way to come back even better 💪🏾 taking the time now to process ♥️

15/06/2026

Find a way and make it happen ✨️ that's been my motto since the start...
Yes, the High Street is different to the days of once upon a time....
I've tried....I still have a moderate degree of health (maybe not mobility) but I'm not done yet....
Going to take some time to see my amazing Son who surprised me with a visit this evening so I gladly cooked him a hearty meal 😋 plus figure the next chapter for hummingbird as I'm not done yet....
The comments of love have truly left me in tears this evening 😢 I love you all and truly appreciate what myself and my staff have delivered on this little section of High Street....
In the words of Maya Angelou.... still I rise ✨️ keep em peeled folks

15/06/2026

No other way to put it, today is our last day
Thank you for the memories and for following us from the humble days of Bernice ♥️
I'll finish here with my head held high in the knowledge I tried

Thank you to my amazing team for their support too ❤️ without them we'd never have gotten this far.

Bye for now

09/06/2026

Take 10 seconds

🚨 HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES ARE BEING CRUSHED 🚨

As a family butcher, we see firsthand how hard our local cafés, pubs, caterers, restaurants & food businesses are fighting just to survive.

That’s why we’re backing the campaign to cut hospitality VAT from 20% to 10%.

This simple change could help protect local jobs, support independent businesses, and stop more closures across our communities.

💥 It takes just 10 seconds to help.
Please sign the petition today and support the businesses that support all of us ❤️

👇 SIGN HERE 👇
https://www.vatstheproblem.co.uk/?fbclid=PAb21jcASUvb90ZGV4BIqkOmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABp8J6R4fXWbjWBfOJZ8vNWI08RTQhwBYJ59j84bPJ-MBt78Hr5hGOjIvWR8oL_aem_1Fy03UnT7Qu9aXjxFiqBGg