Member Article

Entrepreneurs launch new Gateshead café with NatWest support

North East entrepreneurs Suzanne Hutton and Mark Hodgson have opened a continental style cafe Staiths Café Bar, in Gateshead, with funding support from NatWest.

The business is to be located on Autumn Drive, in what was once a housing developers’ sales officer.

In addition to selling coffees, teas, wine, beer, sandwiches, wraps and other light snacks, Staiths Café Bar will sell freshly made breads and homemade jams which has been made by local suppliers.

Mark has a background in catering as he established his own catering business four years ago while Suzanne works within arts and culture.

Three new jobs are to be created over the next 12 months in the café.

Funding for the opening was obtained by NatWest Relationship Manager Gemma Watters.

Suzanne said: “The opening of the café is really a life-long ambition of ours, especially Mark. We sold our house so we could buy the building that we are going to run the café in.

“There is accommodation upstairs so we will be literally living and breathing the business.

“We want to create a relaxing environment and make the business a hub for people who live in the area.

“We hope to develop various cultural activities and events and see its potential as a multi functional space, similar to cafes in cities such as Berlin.

“Gemma has been amazing to work with. We have been working on this since February and it has been a rollercoaster to get everything finalised but Gemma has been with us every step of the way.

“She has given us great support and found the right funding options to support our business.

“I was delighted to support Suzanne and Mark as they open their café. Their commitment to their local community is evident in their business plan and I wish them every success for the future.”