First look inside new Carmichael's deli in Seaburn Dene ahead of opening day

Carmichael’s has completely transformed the former Busy Lizzie cafe in Dovedale Road, Seaburn Dene, and will welcome its first customers from 10am on May 5.

It stocks a whole host of independent producers, from North East brands such as Fat Lass Preserves, Doddington’s Dairy, Northumbrian Smokehouse, Tynemouth Coffee, The Yolker scotch eggs and sweet treats from The Canny Chocolate Company to national brands such as Yorkshire Pasta and Cotswolds Liquorice Company, as well as a wide range of imported goods.

A carefully-chosen selection of cheese boards and other kitchen utensils, serving ware and accessories are also available with the aim of providing everything you need for a gourmet ‘picky tea’ at home.

The new business, which will also be open for take away coffees and lunches, has been brought to the city by businesswoman Donna Carmichael

She’s already had success with her Hill Head Tea Rooms in Lizard Lane, Whitburn, but with the tearooms closed for the past year due to the pandemic, Donna used the time to establish a second business.

She began looking for units in her home town of South Shields, but when she spotted the former cafe in a string of other independent businesses she decided it was the perfect spot for the deli.

"My husband Andrew is from Seaburn so knows the shops in Dovedale Road well,” she explained. “All the other businesses have been so welcoming. There’s a great row of independent shops here and most of them are female owned. There’s not really anywhere for a take away coffee here so a lot of people have been interested in that side of the business too.”

It’s Donna and Andrew’s shared passion for fine foods which set the wheels in motion for the family deli.

Donna explained: “Me and my husband love a nice, picky tea but we had to travel to places like Fenwick Food Hall and farmers’ markets to get what we wanted.

"We noticed there was nothing around where we lived selling anything like that and, with the tearoom closed, we wanted to set up something which had a takeaway offering.”

The businesswoman says there’s already been a buzz about the business, which will also offer a range of vegan, gluten-free and keto goods.

Moving forward, the business will also be offering ‘posh picnics’ for people to take away. Hill Head Tearooms, meanwhile, will be reopening for sit-in dining when permitted to do so and will run in tandem with the deli.

Donna said: “During Lockdown I think a lot of people developed more of an interest in food and where it’s come from, they really want to support local businesses where they can.

"Even restaurants have upped their game with their takeaway offering as people want to eat quality foods at home.”

*Carmichael’s in Dovedale Road will be open Tuesday-Wednesday 10am-4pm, Thursday 10am-5pm, Friday 10am-6pm and Saturdays from 10am to 5pm. It’s closed on Sundays and Mondays.

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