If you spot a seagull in platform boots while out for a stroll at the coast, your eyes aren’t necessarily deceiving you.
You may well be at Flock at the north end of Park View, home to Whitley Bay’s eclectic collection of independent cafés, boutiques and bookstores. The street’s newest venue is owned by Sophie Sibley, 39, and her husband Jon, 41, who are excited to bring their brand of hospitality to Whitley Bay.
Flock isn’t Sophie and Jon’s first rodeo. They also own Assemble in Newcastle’s Old Eldon Square, House in Heaton, and Jon’s original venture – The Town Mouse near Newcastle’s Haymarket.
Sophie and Jon pride themselves on offering a great wine list, and bringing friends and families together in spaces that feel like a second home, albeit a very stylish one.
“The name, Flock, really encapsulates what it’s all about,” says Sophie.
Opening four hospitality venues in 10 years hasn’t come without challenges, especially when you add a three-year-old son, Elliot, into the mix.
“When we opened House, Elliot was six months old and we were just about to get married,” says Sophie. “It was the most insane time of my life.”
She then laughs as she remembers when Jon first went to see the location for their third venue, Assemble. “He didn’t tell me he’d gone for a look at first, because he thought I would think he was mad. Somehow it just worked.”
From the beginning, Sophie and Jon have planned for Flock to be family friendly. They’re planning to open in the morning for coffee and pastries, and serve laidback lunches. “Sometimes people feel like they need to go to a big chain café or restaurant just because it’s easier with kids. I think that’s a shame,” explains Sophie.
The duo feels strongly about using independent designers and artists in all their ventures too. With quirky branding from local artist Suzie Winsor, including those cheeky seagulls in boots, and hand-painted signage by Alex Richardson at Mango Signs, they believe the input from local creatives is what brings Flock to life.
The wine list is extensive and carefully chosen too, with Sophie’s top choice for summer being a skin-contact orange wine from Gogo Wines – a female-led winery in the Kakheti region of Georgia. Gogo translates to girl, she explains, promoting and symbolising the potential of women in Georgia’s wine industry, which is still very much male dominated.
Meanwhile, Sophie’s vision for the food at Flock has been influenced by her travels to Slovakia.
“I love eating out over there,” she says. “Most of the restaurants do a day menu, where there’s a set three courses. It’s a small selection, done well, and it encourages you to try something new every time.”
The menu at Flock is built around delicious, well-considered dishes that change on a regular basis with a strong emphasis on seasonal produce. “I love small plates and how they get people to share,” Sophie adds.
A vegetarian for 15 years, Sophie cites Magic Hat Café in Newcastle as one of their biggest food inspirations. “The first time I ate there I was just blown away by what they were creating using seasonal ingredients while fighting food waste.”
With their permanent chef due to start in August, Flock will be hosting pop-ups and guest spots with local chefs to kick things off this summer, so channel your inner seagull and flock to the coast to try it out.
Flock is opening soon at 203 Park View, Whitley Bay, NE26 3RD. Follow on Instagram @flockwhitleybay
