Hungry for success – Richard Parker ( right ) and his business partner Chris Walls launched their Spread from the Med Taverna near Peterlee amid the pandemic .
SPREAD THE LOVE
Business partners launch successful new eaterie in the height of Covid lockdown
An experienced publican and
restaurateur launched a new food place with a difference earlier this year – despite the obvious Covid challenges .
But now their Mediterranean dishes are proving hugely popular at their newlyrefurbished outlet near Peterlee .
Richard Parker and his business partner Chris Walls originally launched Spread from the Med , operating from the Food Pit in Durham , in November 2019 .
Trade was flying and the pair had ambitious growth plans for the summer before coronavirus and lockdown temporarily ended their dreams .
With the Food Pit closed , they boldly decided to open their own place – the Spread from the Med Taverna – at Bracken Hill Business Park .
Since opening in July , they have expanded to launch a street food deli takeaway to complement the sit-in Taverna .
Their success has created seven new jobs and , even under the latest restrictions , they have retained their staff to continue deliveries and takeaways .
Richard , from Easington , who has worked in the hospitality and entertainment industry across the North-East and abroad for more than 30 years , told Wear Business : “ I started looking around and found this place . I ’ ve always said fortune favours the brave , so we went for it .
“ We took advantage of a bounceback loan and invested every penny into the Taverna , and even despite the latest restrictions we ’ re still doing OK , offering a popular takeaway and delivery service .
“ People are always looking for something different , and they ’ ll always come back if you offer quality .
“ So the hope is we can see it through to next year , and look forward to even better times in 2021 .”
Spread from the Med offers a range of Mediterranean food , street food deli takeaways and Sunday roasts – and are also now serving hand-crafted oven-baked pizzas .
They ’ re open 8am-10pm Mon-Fri , 10am- 10pm Saturdays and 11am-10pm Sundays .
You can find them on Facebook .
Peterlee news
Council teams up with developer to provide affordable homes
A North-East council has teamed up with a local housing developer to deliver affordable homes for residents .
Durham County Council contributed almost £ 250,000 from money raised via housing developments to seven affordable properties , which Chapter Homes is putting the finishing touches to at Peterlee .
The council has a dedicated funding pool from which to facilitate the delivery of affordable housing , which is made up of contributions paid by developers in lieu of delivering such homes on their sites .
Chapter Homes applied for and was given £ 247,800 from the fund to deliver the affordable units at its Oakfield Gardens development .
Training firm helps 50 + people onto career ladder
Business centre welcomes new tenants
A business centre for new and growing SMEs has welcomed a string of new tenants despite the tough economic conditions .
Novus Business Centre in Peterlee , which is managed by East Durham Business Service , offers flexible office space for sole traders and expanding micro companies that want a professional space from which to trade .
New tenants include Redhouse Property Surveyors , KDM Estates , software companies Syntech Solutions and Grieve Software Consultancy , energy firm Energy Made Simple and financial adviser Neil Halliday of Carter Thompson and Associates .
PARTNERSHIP AIMS TO CHANGE FACE OF FUNERAL INDUSTRY
A new partnership has been launched which is changing the face of the funeral industry , enabling people to give their loved ones a unique and memorable final farewell .
Delanoy Funeral Services has been launched by John Delanoy and Julie Stout , who are from Easington and Peterlee respectively .
John has been in the funeral business since he was 16 , becoming the fifth generation of Delanoys to work for the family business , which was launched in 1897 .
Julie had worked in marketing for almost 25 years and was running her own successful company , Just Out Marketing , which she launched in in 2010 .
More than 50 people are working towards careers with Husqvarna thanks to a successful partnership between the lawnmower manufacturer and GEM Training .
The Peterlee-based company , which provides tailored training and apprenticeships specifically developed for its clients , has been working with the Newton Aycliffe firm for some time and has supplied more than 500 temporary workers into the company .
The relationship is helping Husqvarna nurture its next generation workforce , and currently there are 53 people who have completed apprenticeships or are in the process of undertaking programmes .
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