Flipped Burger Co, Hamsterley to close on December 28
The Flipped Burger Co. in Hamsterley, which specialised in smash burgers, loaded fries and homemade chicken tenders, closed on Sunday (December 28).
Owner Lewis Charlton, who has been a chef for 17 years and opened his burger shop three yers ago, said it was a difficult decision, contributed to by rising costs and the location of the restaurant.
He said: “It was a difficult decision. We have built a fantastic community here and it has been amazing. But being where we are, weβre probably in the wrong location to start with, because on a night there is nothing going on around here.
“Everything has gone up in price. The minimum wage went up, which I was absolutely fine with as I am all for a fair wage. But because of rising costs elsewhere, my prices started going up.
“I increased my prices and we were making the same sort of money, but the sales dropped dramatically because people could not afford it.”
Last month, the restaurant took to social media asking for help, admitting the business was struggling. Despite a flurry of orders, Lewis said it was “too little, too late”.
He explained: “I probably reached out too late when I asked for support. I naively thought I would be able to turn it around and I probably left it a bit too late to actually ask for help.
“It is my first business and I am really proud, but I was maybe a bit too proud. When I decided to bite the bullet and ask for help, it was too little, too late.”
Lewis thanked his “loyal customers” for their support.
He said: “I cannot fault our loyal customers and the community; they have been fantastic. We would not have made it without our customers. Most hospitality businesses shut down in the first year and we have made it this far and that is thanks to them. I cannot thank the local community enough.”
Lewis said he wanted to have a go at running his own business and said he opened a burger restaurant because smash burgers were getting very popular.
He added: “I know what I’m doing in the kitchen so I thought let’s get on the wave now before we miss it.”
Although Flipped Burger Co. is closing, Lewis, who has been working with his mum at Cornerstone charity in Benwell, Newcastle, teaching people with learning disabilities how to cook, said this is not the end.
“I am going to take a bit of a break and take a couple of weeks off. I 100 per cent believe there is a business here. Not in this specific location, but I do not want to give up that easily,” he said.
“The alternative for me is that I could get a job in quite a lot of places as I have a good name for myself as a chef and a private chef. But I want to make it for myself.
“When I eventually have kids, I want to be able to have time with them and enough money to have a good life, I am still chasing a dream, so I do not think this is it for us yet.”