A PUB owner and charity fundraiser has unveiled hopes to open a new deli in a matter of weeks after overcoming a licensing hurdle. 

Neal Bullock, 48, spent ten years offshore after falling out of love with the catering trade. 

But alongside business partner Andy Platts, he’s working to open a new Italian Bistro a stone’s throw from his home on Lowfields, Ingleby Barwick.

The pair are also opening up a delicatessen – a few doors down on the Greenside shopping parade. 

Councillors granted both sites alcohol licences following a hearing last week. 

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Building work on the new Onion Bistro is continuing at the moment – with planning for a change of use at the former laundrette to be sought soon.

Neal set up Greedy Soul Catering alongside Andy when covid hit. 

The Onion is set to be a family bistro serving freshly made pasta, pizza, meats, fish and desserts. 

Meanwhile, the nearby Greedy Soul Deli at the former Katie Bee’s florist will serve coffee, sandwiches, deli meats, cheese, pate, olives, oils and dressing. 

Mr Bullock used to own The Cooks Room, in Great Ayton, before falling out of love with the catering trade and spending a decade working offshore. 

His work founding the Teesside Family Foundation alongside Tony Wedlake saw the charity go on to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds. 

He also set up “Fat Lads on Bikes” to raise money for cancer patients at Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital in 2014 – and came through a nasty collision while on a ride in 2015. 

Now Greedy Soul Catering is building its portfolio, overseeing Eaglescliffe Golf Club and the Station Five Deli as well as the recent purchase of the Pot and Glass. 

He told the committee they would play their part in trying to tackle some of the anti-social behaviour which had been seen around Lowfield shops lately with cameras and help from a security firm.

Mr Bullock said the new Greedy Soul would primarily be a traditional deli serving sliced meats and cheeses – and a small number of hot dishes.

“You’ll be able to go in there and get a coffee and sandwiches,” he added.

After Tuesday’s hearings, Mr Bullock was very pleased with the result – and revealed the licensing win paved the way for the deli to open in “four to six weeks”.

 

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