In a weekly feature, we profile and champion a fascinating shop or company doing business here in Islington. This week, we visited a new cafe in Pentonville Road battling the botched financial system minute by minute.

Islington Gazette: Time For... Cafe has opened in Pentonville Road. Pictured is staff member Lenka Balogova. Picture: Polly HancockTime For... Cafe has opened in Pentonville Road. Pictured is staff member Lenka Balogova. Picture: Polly Hancock (Image: Archant)

Is this peak Islington? A new cafe has opened in Pentonville Road that plans to use the concept of time as a form of currency.

Roger Kitsis and Kamlesh Patel have opened “Time For... Cafe” in their fight against the botched and unequal financial system.

The plan is to develop the concept so that soon, you might be able to bank minutes by working towards a local not-for-profit venture.

As an example, you could get an espresso if you contribute 13 minutes. Items are currently available in old-fashioned pounds and pennies.

Kamlesh owns the premises, so it’s relatively risk-free. Roger said: “The cafe is a way to see if the idea can integrate into real life. It’s fantastic to be here.

“Everyone has something they can do to add value to society.

“We’re also trying to bring this parade back to life. Between Angel and King’s Cross, it can be a bit of a dead zone – businesses struggle to survive.”