Friday, March 27, 2015

Sponsored: 'Middlesbrough town centre will soon be booming again,' says Purple Pig owner Som Emadi


I’m old enough to remember the glory days of Linthorpe Road.


The Dickens Inn was known throughout the land as the place to be on Bank Holidays, Mojo’s had a cool little after-party vibe when the Dickens was getting too much. I honestly thought that I would never see Middlesbrough town centre booming like that again but I can see it on the horizon, and not too far away!


However, before a rebirth there inevitably has to be the “death” of the town.


We’ve seen a fair few closures of bars and restaurants in recent months and although this is sad for the regulars and proprietors it is natural and has to happen in order for the town to evolve. So what are we left with?


Baker Street is fast becoming a bohemian wonderland with Twisted Lip, Sherlock’s, Baker Street Kitchen and Chilli Cake turning a quiet town centre street into something pretty cool which would not be out of place in the Northern Quarter of Manchester.


Then there’s Mink bar right in the town centre, showing how a hybrid of tattoos, beer, awesome iron work and great music can work without being on the drinking “circuit”.


We’ve got top quality casual dining spots too. Manjaro’s is absolutely flying and there’s rarely a time I go past were I don’t see the place busy.


Meze lounge is as good as the Turkish restaurants found on Edgeware Road in London and of course the mighty Purple Pig is bringing great burgers, combos and cocktails to Teesside.


Also, who would have thought that Middlesbrough, with its harsh reputation and industrial roots would have a Keralan South Indian restaurant?


Dosa House don’t just label themselves as Keralan to gain esteem, they stick to that ethos strictly and do it to the highest standard.


The Purple Pig owner Som Emadi The Purple Pig owner Som Emadi


That shows exactly where this town is heading. Compared to other towns and cities Middlesbrough still has that industrial urban feel, but that’s what makes it cool.


Scratch beneath that just a little and you’ve got great places to eat and drink as well as some of the best tattooists and barbers that you are likely to find.


You’d be hard pushed to get an appointment at Rude Grooming without booking a week in advance and the guys at Skin’s and Needles next door are constantly working their magic.


So what now? We just need to keep this going.


Every one of the businesses I have written about is independently owned. At the very core of each one is a person or persons who are passionate, hardworking and love what they do, and it shows in the product they are putting out.


I’m am probably doing myself a disservice here (As I own the Purple Pig) but there’s still room for more.


We need more creative, hardworking people to set up bars, restaurants, tattooists and barbers in Middlesbrough and keep this new wave flowing.


There are a few more things would help this regeneration of the town, we need to do more to integrate the university students into the community as a whole and make them feel comfortable in the town centre.


Also, it wouldn’t hurt if the Boro were to go up in to the Premier League, the players have to spend those massive wage packets somewhere. UTB!



No comments:

Post a Comment