Member Article

Sale Pepe sold

One of Jesmond’s best-loved restaurants is under new ownership, after two of its regular customers liked it so much, they bought it.

Sale Pepe opened in Jesmond more than 20 years ago, and has built up huge popularity with local people for its friendliness and ‘meeting place’ environment.

The Italian restaurant’s new owners - Nick Peng Gillender and Susan Peng - are regular customers as well as being local residents. They are keen to maintain the traditional values and fond reputation of Sale Pepe, although a full refurbishment has been carried out, with a new kitchen and acoustic walls being among the changes.

Owning a restaurant is a new venture for both Nick and Susan - 30-year-old Nick was previously an England Under-19 cricket captain, who became the youngest Durham player to participate in the County Championship, as well as being voted Durham’s Young Player of the Year in 2001. Susan’s background is in retail and shop-fitting.

However, both Nick and Susan hail from a family of restaurateurs, with Susan’s father – who is also Nick’s grandfather - opening the first Chinese restaurant, The Marlborough, in Newcastle.

The leisure team at Newcastle law firm Sintons, which has been adviser to the Gillender family for more than 20 years, carried out the legal work on the transaction for Sale Pepe, which now accepts bookings and offers new additions to the menu and wine list.

Nick Peng Gillender said: “Sale Pepe is something of an institution in Jesmond, and I, like so many other local people, have enjoyed countless evenings here with friends and family. This is a very special venue, and I look forward to having many more great times here as its owner.”

Susan Peng said: “The very essence of Sale Pepe is its welcoming environment, and that is the reason it is held in such high regard by the local community.

“Whilst we have carried out an extensive shop fit and refurbishment, we are keen to ensure that does not change, and that the character and wonderful atmosphere of Sale Pepe continue for many years to come. All the long serving staff have also been retained.”

Sintons handled all of the commercial aspects of the deal, with Partners Alok Loomba and Sarah Smith handling the real estate and licensing work respectively.

Christopher Welch, Partner in the Company and Commercial department at Sintons, who led the leisure team on the transaction, said: “I have worked with Nick and his family for more than two decades, and am very pleased to have been able to help Nick and Susan become the new owners of Sale Pepe.

“The restaurant has established itself at the very heart of the Jesmond community and is regarded in the highest terms by local people. We are confident that under Nick and Susan’s leadership, it will continue to thrive in years ahead.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Deborah Johnson .