Downey’s was established in 2011, when the family opened their first shop in Seaham. The family-run business has expanded as a result of its success and now occupies more sites along the coastal seafront, with a second shop in Seaham and one in Roker, Sunderland.
Downey’s fish and chips are a popular choice amongst locals and tourists alike, with customers queueing out of the door some days, even in the winter, to get their fix! The varied menu includes traditional cod and haddock options, as well as langoustines, scampi and lemon sole, each coated in their ‘secret recipe’ batter.
The original Seaham site recently underwent a significant expansion, and Director, Glen Downey, approached Johnson Reed for assistance with fit-out and frying range costs. Through a fixed-term lease agreement, finance was arranged for new booth seating, furniture, air conditioning units and a new frying range. The restaurant now seats up to 50 customers, with its clean, contemporary fit out proving a popular atmosphere for customers to sit and savour Downey’s take on the nation’s favourite dish.
The Roker site was also fitted out with a brand new state-of-the-art frying range, helping Glen and the team produce the perfect portion of Downey’s fish and chips that little bit more effortlessly!
“We’re thrilled with the rapid expansion of the family business, and there’s more in the pipeline,” Glen tells us, “We’re opening a takeaway in Pallion with a no-waitress service seating area and just last week, I agreed to take over another takeaway, so hopefully by April, I’ll have five open.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to deal with Johnson Reed and I’d recommend Mark and the team in a heartbeat. They were so professional but also so easy to deal with and talk to. I wouldn’t use anyone else to build and grow my business in the future.”
It was a pleasure to work with Glen and the Downey family, and Johnson Reed will always be on-hand should they need any more assistance!
