THE team behind Stourbridge’s popular Caribbean Kitchen hope to bring back a community vibe in troubled times after moving their growing venture to a landmark venue in Old Hill.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, which has hit the hospitality industry hard, the Caribbean Kitchen venture has been thriving and the team behind it have now taken over The Regis in Reddal Hill Road.
The Regis which had lain empty for some years but which formerly played host to many top names in music
Manager Claire Shayle and chef Gareth Collins, who started off running Caribbean nights at Webster's Brewhouse (formerly Graham's Place) in Wollaston in 2019, switched to delivery and collection services during the coronavirus lockdowns and business boomed.
Caribbean Kitchen's dishes have been going down a treat
When events started back up again they bought a trailer and headed for the Illusive Festival of Performing Arts in Corby where they served up their much-loved Caribbean cuisine to thousands of music fans.
Buoyed by the successful experience, they have now set their sights on working the Reading, Leeds and Boomtown festivals.
But meanwhile, back in the Black Country, they worked flat out in the run-up to Christmas to get ready to open at The Regis on Boxing Day.
Chef Gareth Collins, right, with doorman Pete Lambeth
Inside the newly re-opened venue The Regis which had lain empty for some years
The venture has already gone down a storm - Claire, aged 32, a former recruitment consultant, told the News, adding that a series of music nights have now been lined up in a hark back to the venue's glory days when the likes of The Drifters graced the stage.
Manager Claire Shayle
She said: “By taking on The Regis we have increased our future goals in many ways. One being the expansion of the Caribbean Kitchen and being able to finally serve food again to the public.
Caribbean Kitchen's dishes have been going down a treat
“The other taking on a new business venture and hosting our own events using the banqueting hall. We hope to bring back that community vibe in these troubled times.”
She added: “We have a load of events coming up now with our calendar filling up nicely.
“We have a Motown and Northern Soul night on January 22 and we know The Regis was used for these events back in the day.”
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