Roker End Cafe expands its offering to attract non-match day diners

There’s pink slices and more in store at Roker End Cafe as the Sheepfolds business reopens its doors – despite lacking its usual match day footfall.
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A cuppa and a red and white pink slice – the site’s best-seller – has become something of a match day tradition at the cafe within the ALS Building.

It may no longer have its regular match day crowd coming in due to coronavirus, but the cafe is planning to invest in new kitchen equipment and is expanding the menu to attract more people to the distinctive business, which is open six days a week.

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Brother and sister, Liam and Amy Burnham have just taken over the reins in the kitchen and they have big plans for the menu, including brunches, loaded fries, eating contests, smoothies and more, which they hope to make available through Uber Eats delivery too.

Roker End cafe has reopenedRoker End cafe has reopened
Roker End cafe has reopened

In the meantime, the sibling chefs are proving popular with diners enjoying the existing menu, which includes lasagna bites, chips with homemade chilli cheese sauce, chilli dogs, breakfasts and pies.

The pair have worked at some of the city’s most well-known restaurants including D’acqua, Signatures, Miller & Carter and Frankie & Benny’s.

Amy said: “It’s been great coming here because we’ve been given free rein in the kitchen, and it really allows us to be more creative.”

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Liam said: “Breakfasts are already popular here, but we want to add to that with brunch options such as avocado on our own sourdough as there’s not many places in Sunderland that offer a brunch menu."

Liam Burnham and sister Amy Burnham have taken over the kitchen of the Roker End CafeLiam Burnham and sister Amy Burnham have taken over the kitchen of the Roker End Cafe
Liam Burnham and sister Amy Burnham have taken over the kitchen of the Roker End Cafe

The cafe reopened a fortnight ago with social distancing measures in place. It also has a hatch for those who’d rather order their food there and not sit inside.

Martyn McFadden, who owns the business, said: “The cafe has never really reached its full potential and I think lockdown gave a lot of businesses time to think about how they can adapt and try new things.

"We’d love it if we had a match day every other Saturday as it’s great for business, but now we have to do other things that will attract people here and let them know we’re not just open match days.”

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 Roker End Cafe coffee Roker End Cafe coffee
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