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New Middlesbrough eaterie ‘to set a new national standard’, says Teesside entrepreneur

A new restaurant which will offer catering job opportunities for ex-offenders, the long term unemployed and recovering addicts is set to open on Middlesbrough’s Linthorpe Road, in September later this year.

The Fork in the Road will fill previously derelict premises once occupied by popular toy shop, Romer Parrish, chosen due to its close proximity to the town’s booming Baker and Bedford Street areas.

The not-for-profit social enterprise will also feature a community café, The Spoon, and Bar Sobrio, a non-alcohol bar.

The fit-out costs and working capital for the unique scheme are being funded through Middlesbrough-based national charity CEO Sleepout and the NHS via assistance from Jonathan Bowden of Middlesbrough Council’s Public Health and Wellbeing Department.

Charity leader and businessman Andy Preston, the founder-chairman of CEO Sleepout and the driving force behind the project, believes there is nothing like The Fork in the Road anywhere in the UK.

“The Fork in the Road will be amazing – it’s been hard work already but it’ll do incredible things,” said Andy, who is also chairman of charitable movement, Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation. “I’m convinced this is a truly unique project in the UK and will set a new national standard.

“The restaurant will be high end and will always deliver excellence. Alongside very experienced, top class professionals, we’ll train a small cohort of local people who need and deserve that precious opportunity to create a new life for themselves.”

With planning permission recently granted, work is now underway on the two-storey project, with The Spoon and Bar Sobrio planned to open by August, with The Fork in the Road restaurant due for launch around six weeks later.

Andy believes Bar Sobrio will play an important role in Teesside’s recovery scene. It won’t serve alcohol but it will be a great place to mix with friends and meet people, while the bar will also be made available to hire for private functions.

The project’s running costs will come from CEO Sleepout, which inspires business leaders to raise funds by being sponsored to sleep rough for a night.

Since its Middlesbrough launch just three years ago, CEO Sleepout has raised around £800k through events held at a series of landmark venues across the country.

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