Member Article

Teesside deli eyeing further expansion following branch out to Hartlepool

Following a recent expansion to Hartlepool, Teesside business Chilli Cake Deli is weighing up further expansion plans to create more jobs in the North East.

With existing shops in Middlesbrough’s Baker Street and Boho One , the firm launched its third branch in Upper Church Street, Hartlepool, in July.

The healthy eating deli currently employs 16 people, enjoying close partnerships with North East colleges, training students and helping them achieve culinary qualifications such as the Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Professional Cookery.

Chilli Cake’s owner, James Stoker, was thrilled to see the opening of the third deli and believes Hartlepool is the perfect location for their new venture.

He said: “I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved in the last three years and it’s a really exciting time because we are planning to expand again next year and hope to create lots of new jobs.

“Upper Church Street is a real up and coming area and this location is creating a new culture in the North East and we wanted Chilli Cake to be a part of that.

“Since opening our first deli, we have taken people with no training and encouraged them to attend college courses in hospitality and catering. We plan to do the same thing with the Hartlepool branch and the surrounding local colleges.”

Chilli Cake uses locally sourced produce made fresh on site every day, including a gourmet range of sandwiches, salads, fresh fish, smoothies and daily specials board.

Its Hartlepool branch has a licence to sell alcohol and plans on expanding its services next month by offering customers the exclusive hire of the building on Saturday evenings for private functions, with catering opportunities available for up to 60 people.

Both the Hartlepool and Baker Street branch also intend to open on Friday and Saturday nights, starting this month. A light menu will be available on Fridays, between 5.30pm and 9.30pm, allowing people to relax and enjoy food and drink after the working week. On Saturday evenings, both venues will stay open until 10.30pm.

Julie Evans, who co-owns the deli, said: “It’s lovely to see how our staff have developed within the company and I can’t thank our customers enough, because it is them who have helped us to push Chilli Cake to new levels.

“It’s such an amazing feeling to watch the brand progress and we can’t wait to experiment with new flavours and to expand our services, which is something we could only dream about three years ago.”