As Brett’s in Headingley approaches its 100th birthday, the iconic fish and chip shop is going through a stunning transformation. Outside a smart, new bright blue awning covers an enlarged patio dining area set in a sunny, south-facing garden. Inside there is a newly-designed, stylish restaurant and bar.
Brett’s restaurant is a new project for Leeds chef and restaurant entrepreneur, Shaun Davies. First working in catering in Harrogate, he left the country to run a farmhouse restaurant in Menorca before returning to Leeds in 2004. He successfully ran the highly rated, Michelin-listed Foundry Restaurant for 12 years with business partner Phil Richardson. Now the passionate sports fan has moved on and opened his own new restaurant in Headingley.
Also joining the Brett’s team is multi-award winning Head Chef Cameron Gardiner. Cameron was the original Head Chef of the Foundry and remained so for 10 years before becoming the Regional Operations Chef for the Individual Restaurant Company.
Dave Ridealgh, the former Restaurant Manager of Brasserie 44, is also on board. After leaving school, his father Steve Ridealgh of Michelin-starred Pool Court Restaurant drafted him in and he has learned from the best. Ten years on, Dave is looking forward to bringing a lifetime of experience in a family-run restaurant to Brett’s in Headingley.
So why Headingley?
“It’s a busy place with an internationally known name and has a great history. An interesting residential area and it also attracts lots of visitors from all over the world. We hope both local residents and visitors will visit our restaurant,” explains Shaun.
“We’re retaining the widely known Brett’s name and its famous fish and chips are a permanent part of our offer. Our menu is smallish, but is also wide ranging and there are new daily specials to keep people’s interest. We are using British locally-sourced foods including meat from a local butcher and fresh fish delivered straight here from Whitby. The fish and chips take-away will still operate from the side of the building.”
Good news for Brett’s many ardent fans ...
The shop and restaurant has a long history in Headingley. Arthur Brett and family moved here in about 1899 as the suburb grew. He acquired a horse and cart and worked as a carting agent carrying people and goods around the area. In 1919, he launched a new venture by going to Leeds market everyday bringing fresh fish back to his shop to sell. Working with his son Charlie, they expanded the business in the 1930s by also creating a restaurant. It gained its national reputation through cricket with famous players and commentators becoming its most devoted customers. The business has run here ever since.
“We want to build sympathetically on the great tradition that is Brett’s and bring excellent food, service and surroundings to the Headingley community. We look forward to meeting you all, so please drop in ...”
Shaun Davies
Reservations: 0113 232 3344
Website: http://charliebrettsheadingley.co.uk/
Email: shaun@charliebretts.co.uk
Read more about the history of Brett’s on pp175-6 of Eveleigh Bradford’s Headingley ‘This Pleasant Rural Village’ Clues to the Past Northern Heritage Publications (2008) (available at HEART)
