New Afro-lounge and restaurant Las Gidi, thought to be the first of its kind in the UK, opens in Castle Quarter Norwich soon. Folk Features heads to the soft launch and chats to the management trio behind it all
Uzo Joe-Ihedoro, Sam Apeh and Charles Mokwe are directors of a Few Good Men, the business behind the launch of new Afro-lounge, Las Gidi, in Castle Quarter Norwich. Together, they have a proven track record in bringing the spirit of Africa to Norfolk, staging AfriFest East, the largest Afrocentric summer event in East Anglia, at Chapelfield Gardens every August. Since starting out in 2024, last year it attracted more than 5,000 people, becoming one of the city’s most popular outdoor summer events.
Now, they are turning their sights on opening a new venue – Las Gidi, which aims to bring their energy, creativity and vibrancy to Norwich this summer, as a lounge destination where people can enjoy Afro cuisine, culture and music, all under one roof.
Who are you all and what do you do?
We are the team behind Las Gidi, a passionate group of creators, food lovers, and community builders. At our core, we are in the business of bringing people together through incredible food, vibrant music, and unforgettable culture. Our backgrounds span hospitality, event management, and entrepreneurship, which gives us a unique blend of skills to bring this vision to life. We’re also the team behind AfriFest East which happens in Chapelfield Gardens, every August.
What has led you to opening Las Gidi? What were you doing before, or what do you do alongside?
The inspiration for Las Gidi came from a desire to create a permanent home for the energy, flavours, and community we’ve been cultivating in the region. Alongside this, we work in healthcare roles – careers which we still juggle alongside this passion project of ours.
After hosting events venues in the city, and of course the buzz created by our annual AfriFest East celebration, we saw how much people here in Norwich loved the Afro-fusion experience in short bursts, and we realised it was time to build a dedicated, year-round space where people could experience that warmth and flavour, on a more regular basis. Every week if they’d like to!
Do you think Norwich (or even East Anglia) is crying out for an Afro-lounge like this?
Absolutely. Norwich has an incredibly rich, diverse, and open-minded food and nightlife scene, but there has been a gap when it comes to a premium, dedicated Afro-lounge
experience. People are looking for more than just a night out they want an authentic experience. East Anglia is ready for this space – which will combine sophisticated dining, high-energy Afrobeats, and a welcoming atmosphere. We aren’t just filling that gap; we’re introducing a whole new vibe to the city. And we cannot wait for you to try it out, very soon.
You’re the team behind AfriFest – have you been surprised at how well-received the event has been since launching in 2024?
When we launched AfriFest East in 2024, we knew the appetite for celebrating African culture was there, but the sheer volume of support, love, and positive energy from the local community completely exceeded our expectations. It gets better and better year on year, with 2025 welcoming 5,000 people, becoming one of the city’s most popular outdoor summer events.
Seeing people from all walks of life come together to celebrate with us was the ultimate validation. It proved to us that this culture doesn’t just belong at a once-a-year festival it deserves a permanent seat at the table in Norwich. Las Gidi is the natural evolution of that success.
Where will Las Gidi be located? What do you like about the location?
We are incredibly excited to be opening in Castle Quarter, and you’ll find us at 114 Timberhill. What we love most about this location is how central and dynamic it is. Castle Quarter has changed so much, and has evolved into a real hub for leisure, entertainment, and socialising in the city centre. It has amazing footfall, great energy, a welcoming management team who want us to succeed and it places us right in the beating heart of the city. It’s the perfect backdrop and Norwich destination for the lively atmosphere we are creating.
Any more plans to put Norwich well and truly on the map?
Opening Las Gidi is a massive milestone, but as a team, we are always dreaming bigger! We want to make Norwich a key destination for Afro-fusion culture in the UK. Beyond the lounge, we plan to keep expanding AfriFest East, hosting exclusive cultural events, collaborating with local artists, and bringing big-name talent to the fine city. We want people from all over the region and beyond to travel to Norwich specifically to experience what we are building here.
Las Gidi, 114 Timberhill, Castle Quarter, opens soon. For further updates, visit Las Gidi’s website – lasgidi.co.uk. To find out more about the latest events at Castle Quarter, go to castlequarternorwich.co.uk and like the Facebook page.
Featured image of (left to right) Uzo, Charles and Sam by Folk Features
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