Member Article

Let the North East food revolution commence

Following the opening of Newcastle’s latest eatery from the Ladhar Leisure group, Hop and Cleaver, I got thinking about the tremendous developments our city has seen in the hospitality sector in the last year.

The £700k renovation of the Jacobean building was completed on Friday, as the restaurant opened to the public for the first time at 6pm. After being fortunate enough to visit a few hours earlier for a press preview, I walked past shortly after opening to see there was already a queue as far as Big Mussel for budding diners ready to try out Newcastle’s first smokehouse restaurant.

Ladhar Leisure have got their fingers in many pies. Along with other similar establishments such as Pleased to Meet You, on High Bridge Street, and Redhouse, just along from Hop and Cleaver, the firm also owns several care homes in and around the North East, as well as a printing and design company.

Ladhar isn’t the only booming business putting the North East on the culinary map. Family-run Gusto Ltd has recently opened its latest venture dAtbar at the Theatre Royal. dAtbar boasts an extensive range of craft beers, as well as a high-quality, rustic food menu.

And it’s not just the beer and grub market which is growing, the fine diners are sated by the success of Michelin star chef Kenny Atkinson’s House of Tides located in a 16th-century Grade I listed former merchant’s house on the Quayside. House of Tides opened its doors in January, costing Atkinson just £150k to renovate, allowing him to bring to life his creative cuisine in an equally exciting setting.

I could go on all day about the North East’s vibrant and growing hospitality sector. As well as those mentioned, this last year has seen an abundance of new eateries, cafes and bars opening up in and around the city. The jobs created are invaluable, along with the renovation of treasured, old buildings, and the attraction of tourism thanks to big names like Atkinson - I can only hope this is merely the start of the North East food revolution.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .