Vintage Hartlepool tea room welcomes customers back after changing ownership

Glady’s Vintage Tea Room, on The Front, in Seaton Carew, has opened its doors for breakfast and afternoon tea once again.

Glady’s treats customers with its nostalgic 1940s theme, authentic fixtures and period staff costumes.

New owner Jacky Ferry, 52, is working at the tea room alongside sister Lisa Leask, 51, who is baking everything for the afternoon teas, and cousin Leanne Arkley, 49.

Mother-of-four Jacky, from the Clavering area of the town, has vowed to preserve the original character of the venue which regulars are already familiar with.

But she has also added exciting new touches in keeping with both the established business’s traditions and her own family’s heritage.

Some items on the menu are named after famous people from the Second World War and customers will also spot a black and white photograph of a woman when they enter the premises.

The image shows Jacky’s beloved nana, Mary Hunter, who was also from Hartlepool

Former chef Jacky, who has taken over the business from Jackie O’Beirne, said: “She influenced us with her cooking. We always cooked with my nana.

"There’s little touches in the tea room. People may not notice them but we notice them. We’ve sort of kept people’s memories.

"They would’ve loved to be here when it’s opened so we thought they’re here with us, but in spirit.”

Since reopening, the tea room has enjoyed brisk trade, with morning and afternoons being particularly busy and posh fish fingers being one of the most popular things on the menu.

Jacky, whose father was part of the Royal Ordnance Corps and whose mum was a cook with the Army, has said the opening left her “emotional at the fact that there was all that support there”.

The former Dyke House School student added: “It’s going to be a learning curve for everyone.

"Everyone’s helped, the family has been really supportive.”

Glady’s Vintage Tea Room is open from 9am-4pm from Wednesdays-Saturdays and between 9.30am-4pm on Sundays.

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