Can Food Help Bring a City Back to Life?

In this episode of The Positive Habits Podcast, Kat sits down with James, the face behind Portsmouth Food Guide, to talk about far more than great places to eat.James shares his passion for Portsmouth, why protecting local high streets and pub culture matters so deeply to him, and how food, hospitality and community are all connected. The conversation explores the challenges facing independent businesses, the power of customer experience, and why helping people discover local gems can have a much bigger ripple effect than we realise.Kat and James also talk honestly about what it takes to juggle purpose-driven work, family life, a growing platform, and personal wellbeing. From consistency and time management to learning how to say no, this episode is a real and refreshing conversation about building something meaningful while trying to stay grounded.If you care about community, connection, local business, and the habits that help us manage modern life, you’ll love this one.Highlights Why James believes Portsmouth deserves a brighter futureThe changing habits on high streets and hospitalityWhy pubs still matter as places of connection and communityHow local food culture can help revitalise a cityThe role of consistency, passion and boundaries when building something from scratchWhy enjoying the journey matters just as much as achieving the goalLocal businesses need more than customers - they need champions.James’ mission goes beyond food reviews. He wants to keep Portsmouth’s high streets alive, support independent businesses, and encourage people to explore more of what their city has to offer.Experience matters just as much as the product.Whether it’s a coffee shop, a pub or a restaurant, people remember how they were made to feel. Great service, warmth and personality create loyalty.Community spaces still matter deeply.Pubs, cafés and local venues can be places of real connection, especially in a time when loneliness and isolation are rising.ABOUT THE GUEST James is a Portsmouth-based community worker who works for a local charity called Enable Ability and also Founder of the Portsmouth FoodGuide, a combination of food, tourism and social impact; championing independent businesses whilst creating inclusive opportunities for young people with additional needs through a project called the Portsmouth Teenage Project. With more than 18,000 engaged followers on multiple social media platforms and ambitious plans for electric vehicle food tours tied in with the city’s newly-developed cruise industry, he connects local produce from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to a global market of visitors. James is driven by a belief that Portsmouth has the ability to thrive when everyone has a seat at a table talking about the city’s rich history and when the city acts as the epicentre for delivering local produce in historic settings. www.portsmouthfoodguide.co.ukABOUT THE HOSTKat is a positive habits international keynote speaker and teacher, giving talks and delivering high impact programmes to organisations across the globe.https://www.linkedin.com/in/katthorne