Hard working mum-of-four Abby Smith hopes her former NHS patients become her new customers as she launches her first business venture.

The 30-year-old from Middlesbrough has just opened her sandwich shop – Ted’s Tasty Treats – in the town’s historic Dundas Market after working in the NHS for more than ten years.

Abby provided health care for patients in the community and at The James Cook University Hospital where she was a housekeeper, preparing and serving food for patients.

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She worked throughout COVID and - although like other essential workers found it tough and emotional – said “You just had to get on with things.”

Abby loved her time at the NHS but had always wanted to have her own business: “I worked in a food takeaway when I was 18 – just making sandwiches – but I thought it was great. At the time I thought I would love a little shop but I never thought it would happen when I had young kids,” she said.

She now has four children, aged 12, nine, seven and four. Ted’s Tasty Treats is named after Teddy, her youngest.

The step from working from the NHS to opening her shop has been rapid. “I’d obviously been thinking about doing it for a while but I saw there was a unit for rent and I thought if I don’t go for it now I never will.”

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She sells hot and cold sandwiches, paninis, jacket potatoes, salads and – amongst her sweet treats – homemade cakes and bakes.

Abby gets up around 5.30, makes breakfast for her children, takes them to school and comes to her shop.

“It’s very hectic,” she said. “I bake everything from scratch - all the cakes, pies, quiches, scones. When I get home I still haven’t stopped because I’ve got to prep for the next day so I make my curries, cook the beef and decorate my cakes. It’s tough but definitely worth it.”